Osimhen Shines as Nigeria Secures First Win in World Cup Qualifiers

Victor Osimhen was the star of the show as Nigeria claimed their first victory in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, defeating Rwanda 2-0 in Group C. The on-loan Galatasaray forward netted both goals, taking his tally to 25 goals in 40 senior appearances for the Super Eagles.

Key Moments

• 11th Minute: Osimhen opened the scoring with a well-placed header from Ademola Lookman's free-kick, leaving the Rwandan defense stunned.
• Injury Time: He doubled Nigeria's lead just before halftime, capitalizing on hesitant defending and calmly dinking the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper.

Impact on the Standings

This crucial win moves Nigeria up to fourth in Group C, now trailing South Africa by just four points as the campaign reaches its midway point. The Super Eagles will next host bottom-placed Zimbabwe, aiming to build on this momentum.

Other Notable Results

• South Africa: Bafana Bafana overcame Lesotho 2-0, with second-half goals from Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams, to top Group C.
• DR Congo: Theo Bongonda's powerful strike secured a 1-0 win over South Sudan, moving DR Congo level on points with Group B leaders Sudan.
• Algeria: The North African side returned to the top of Group G with a 3-1 victory over Botswana, thanks to goals from Amine Gouiri and Mohamed Amoura.

Looking Ahead

With the expanded 48-team World Cup finals on the horizon, the race for qualification intensifies. Nigeria, under the guidance of new coach Eric Chelle, will need to maintain their form to secure a spot in the tournament.

For more updates on African World Cup qualifying, stay tuned to BBC Sport Africa.