Nigeria marked a new era under Eric Chelle with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Rwanda, securing their first win in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Super Eagles, who had previously struggled in their campaign, are now back in contention as they look to qualify for the global tournament.
Key Tactical Changes Under Chelle
Chelle wasted no time in making adjustments to the Nigerian squad, opting for a 4-2-3-1 formation that saw several players in new roles:
- Ola Aina shifted to left full-back at the start of the match.
- Bright Osayi-Samuel was deployed as the right full-back.
- Samuel Chukwueze played a deeper role on the right side of midfield rather than his usual right-wing position.
- Tolu Arokodare made his national team debut, replacing Victor Osimhen in the latter stages of the match.
- Ola Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel were both substituted in the second half for Bruno Onyemaechi and Alhassan Yusuf, respectively.
- Raphael Onyedika of Club Brugge was introduced in place of Chukwueze.
- Victor Boniface remained on the bench throughout the match.
Match Highlights
Nigeria got off to a strong start, with Victor Osimhen opening the scoring in the 11th minute after connecting with an Ademola Lookman free-kick. The Super Eagles continued to dominate, with Moses Simon nearly doubling the lead, only to be denied by a brilliant save from Rwanda’s goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari. Captain William Troost-Ekong also threatened from set-pieces but was unable to find the net.
Just before halftime, Osimhen struck again, racing to score his second goal and put Nigeria under control. Unlike their last meeting in November, where Rwanda staged a comeback, there was no repeat as Chelle’s men saw out the game comfortably.
Nigeria’s Qualification Standing
The victory boosts Nigeria’s standing in Group C, giving them six points from five matches. However, South Africa currently tops the group after their 2-0 victory over Lesotho.
Chelle’s first game in charge provided a much-needed morale boost for the Super Eagles as they continue their quest for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Fans will now look forward to how the team builds on this result in their upcoming fixtures.
Also Read: CAF 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Who Will Rise, Who Will Fall?
Stay on top of the action! Get live match updates on our livescore page
