Arokodare steps up as Nigeria beat Rwanda to keep World Cup hopes alive

Nigeria kept their bid for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Uyo, Sport360NG reports.

Substitute Tolu Arokodare, recently signed by Wolves, delivered the decisive moment six minutes after the restart, reacting quickest to a loose ball inside the six-yard box and rifling home from close range.

The win lifts the Super Eagles into third place in Group C, overtaking Rwanda and closing the gap to leaders South Africa, who they face in a pivotal clash in Bloemfontein on Tuesday (16:00 GMT). With only the group winners guaranteed a ticket to next year’s finals, Nigeria know that anything less than victory against Bafana Bafana could leave them staring at back-to-back World Cup absences.

Their chances, however, may hinge on an ongoing FIFA case, with South Africa potentially facing a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho in March.

If Nigeria cannot top the group, they still have a route through the African play-offs for the best runners-up, with one team from there advancing to an intercontinental qualifier.

Arokodare steps up as Osimhen limps off

The qualification campaign has been turbulent for Nigeria, who had managed just one win in six matches under three different managers. Eric Chelle, appointed in January, has steadied the ship somewhat, collecting four points in March, though a late Zimbabwe equaliser in Uyo proved costly.

Against Rwanda, the Super Eagles knew only victory would suffice after South Africa’s win on Friday. They thought they had struck early when Victor Osimhen bundled in from Ademola Lookman’s delivery, only for the Napoli striker to be flagged offside.

Osimhen’s evening was cut short when he hobbled off in the 34th minute with a lower leg problem, leaving Nigeria without their main attacking threat. Chances fell to Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi before the break, but Rwandan keeper Fiacre Ntwari stood firm.

Arokodare’s introduction at half-time injected urgency, and his scrappy strike finally broke Rwanda’s resistance. The visitors still threatened, forcing a crucial block from Calvin Bassey and a smart intervention by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali late on, but Nigeria held on through three tense minutes of stoppage time.

With Osimhen now a doubt for the trip to South Africa, Arokodare’s impact has strengthened his claim for a starting berth in what could be the defining game of Nigeria’s campaign.