Nigeria defeated Rwanda 1-0 in their Group A World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Saturday, securing a vital win that keeps their qualification hopes alive.
Gatekeepers News reports that Tolu Arokodare scored the decisive goal early in the second half to hand the Super Eagles their first victory in six matches.
The new Wolverhampton Wanderers striker pounced from close range in the 51st minute, sealing all three points for Nigeria.
Coach Eric Chelle made some bold choices, leaving captain William Ekong on the bench, while Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon led the attack. Nigeria started brightly, with Osimhen’s early effort ruled out for offside, while Simon and Iwobi also went close.
Osimhen was forced off injured in the 36th minute and replaced by Cyril Dessers. Despite their dominance, the Super Eagles couldn’t break the deadlock in the first half.
Arokodare’s introduction after the restart proved decisive. Minutes later, the towering forward found the back of the net to give Nigeria the breakthrough.
Rwanda’s goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari pulled off key saves to deny Simon and Lookman, but the visitors failed to find an equaliser as Nigeria held firm until the final whistle.
The victory was Nigeria’s first in six matches, lifting them to third place in the group with 10 points, one behind second-placed Benin Republic. They now trail leaders South Africa by six points ahead of a crucial away clash against the Bafana Bafana on September 9.
