With a 2-0 win over Rwanda, Nigeria are back on track in regards to their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign thanks to a brace from Victor Osimhen. The Super Eagles came into the game sitting fifth in Group C having failed to win any of their first four fixtures, drawing three and losing the other.
Now managed by Eric Chelle, the visitors made a dream start as Osimhen peeled away to the back post to meet Ademola Lookman’s superb free-kick and break tge deadlock after just 11 minutes on the clock. A great save from Rwanda goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari denied Moses Simon from doubling the lead whilst William Troost-Ekong twice went close from corners.
Though, right on the stroke of half-time, Osimhen raced through to add his second of the afternoon to leave Rwanda with a huge mountain to climb after the break. Despite come from behind to win the last meeting between the two nations back in November, there was to be no repeat as the visitors claimed an important win. You can follow the game back below with our dedicated match blog.
Rwanda vs Nigeria latest news
- NO GOAL! Rwanda have goal ruled out
- GOAL! Osimhen adds a second just before half-time
- GOAL! Osimhen gives Nigeria a deserved early lead
FULL-TIME
18:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRwanda 0-2 Nigeria
Full-time and it’s victory for Nigeria.
Victor Osimhen with a brace in Eric Chelle’s first game in charge.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+3 min: Yellow card for Arokodare
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90 min: Five minutes of injury time to be played.
Feels like the game is gone for Rwanda, but stranger things have happened in football.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne89 min: Iwobi is the latest player to be shown a yellow card.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne88 min: GOA..NO!
Rwanda have the ball in the net, but it is ruled out for offside.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne82 min: More changes for Rwanda as Kwizera and Ruboneka are introduced.
Time is running out for the hosts to get back in the game. Their attacking performance is summed up as Muhire’s free-kick does not beat the first man.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne77 min: Advantage played for Nigeria presents Osimhen with a chance to get his hat-trick, but he fluffs his lines with a wild swing and a miss.
That is his final action of the game as he is replace by Arokodare.
Osayi is also off as Yusuf takes his place.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne73 min: A pause in play as Osayi receives treatment. Looks fine to continue, but Nigeria are preparing a change.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne69 min: Iwobi feeds Lookman, but he can’t get a shot away as the Rwanda defenders get back in time.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne68 min: A slight tweak for Nigeria following the double substitution. Iwobi has pushed further forward and Simon has come over to the right with Lookman now operating from the left.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne66 min: Double Nigeria change.
On: Onyemaechi and Onyedika
Off: Aina and Chukwueze
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne62 min: Bit of sloppiness creeping into Nigeria’s passing. First Osimhen and then Ekong. Both in promising positions at the time.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne61 min: It is a tough ask for Nshuti leading the line for Rwanda up against Ekong and Bassey.
He does find a bit of space but takes on the shot too early and the shot does not trouble Nwabali in the slightest.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne58 min: Second change of the afternoon for Rwanda as Muhire replaces Sahabo
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne56 min: Lookman is afforded far to much space as he’s able to bring the ball down in the are but he is crowded out as Rwanda concede a corner.
This one is dealt with and here come Rwanda on the attack but a ball over the top is mopped up by Nwabali.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne54 min: Hearing that South Africa have taken the lead against Lesotho.
That is not great news for Nigeria or Rwanda quite frankly.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne53 min: Nwabali is called into action again, making a routine save from Mugisha’s effort.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne51 min: Nwabali is down in a heap following a Rwanda corner and he gets a free-kick for his troubles.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne50 min: Shot comes in from Osayi as he bursts into the box, ball looked to be heading for the bottom corner but Ntwari gets down sharply to make a good save.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne49 min: Rwanda free-kick is flicked on at the back post but Nwabali races off his line to claim the ball.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne48 min: Ndidi is booked for clattering into Bizimana.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne47 min: Free-kick taken by Lookman but his attempt is deflected out for a corner and he runs over to take this too.
His delivery is headed away at the near post, but only to Simon who fires an effort way over the bar.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne46 min: Early yellow card for Bizimana as he catches Osimhen high in the chest. The Rwanda captain, in fairness, was attempting to shield the ball.
But Osimhen is making the point that he can’t lead with the forearm.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
17:09 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are back underway in this World Cup qualifier.
You would imagine Eric Chelle has demanded a professional performance from Nigeria in the second half.
Rwanda will have to be a lot better if they’re to get something from this fixture.
Hat-trick hero?
17:04 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneVictor Osimhen is on a hat-trick, will he add to his tally in the second half?
HT in Kigali pic.twitter.com/DrwLyGjDrp
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 21, 2025
HALF-TIME
16:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRwanda 0-2 Nigeria
Nigeria are 45 minutes away from recording their first win of the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign thanks to a brace from Victor Osimhen.
GOAL! Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria | Victor Osimhen '45
16:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45+2 min: GOALLLLLLL
Just like that Nigeria have a second, Osimhen does superbly to win the ball and from there he races through on goal before producing a fine dinked finish over Ntwari.
45 min: Not the most convincing of goalkeeping from Nwabali but he does enough with his clearance.
Three minutes of injury time to be played.
Rwanda 0-1 Nigeria
16:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne43 min: Paul Kagame, the President of Rwanda, is shown on the big screen and gets a great ovation from the home supporters.
The noise levels increases as Rwanda win a corner late in the first-half.
Rwanda 0-1 Nigeria
16:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne39 min: Within seconds of entering the fray, Mugisha finds space and fires an effort at goal. It’s on target but Nwabali makes a comfortable save.
Almost an inspired Rwanda substitution.
Rwanda 0-1 Nigeria
16:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne38 min: Rwanda make an early change as Samuel is replaced by Mugisha.
Rwanda 0-1 Nigeria
16:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne34 min: Awkward landing for Bizimana leaves the Rwanda captain requiring treatment. He should be fine to continue as we approach the final 10 minutes of the half.
Rwanda 0-1 Nigeria
16:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne31 min: Signs of Rwanda getting a foothold in this game as twice in the last couple of minutes they have entered the final third. Though Nigeria are defending well.
Rwanda 0-1 Nigeria
16:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne29 min: Rwanda threaten momentarily, getting supporters of their seats in the process but Sahabo wastes the opportunity.
Nigeria race up the other end and win another corner. This delivery from Lookman is not up there with the rest as Ntwari punches the ball away unchallenged.
Rwanda 0-1 Nigeria
16:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne26 min: Lookman’s set-piece deliveries are superb. He picks out Ndidi from Nigeria’s latest corner but the Leicester man and Osimhen get in each other’s way resulting in the ball flying over the bar.
Rwanda 0-1 Nigeria
16:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne23 min: Rwanda just haven’t settled. GoalkeeperNtwari is fortunate to get away with gifting the ball straight to Osimhen from a clearance.
However, he more than makes amends by making a brilliant save to tip Simon’s effort over the bar.
Rwanda 0-1 Nigeria
16:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne21 min: Good play from Nigeria but Lookman slips at a vital moment just as he had made a run in behind the Rwanda defence.
Rwanda 0-1 Nigeria
16:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne20 min: Rwanda’s gameplan will have to change following that early goal. They were happy to sit deep at 0-0 but now the onus is on them to get back in the game.
Rwanda 0-1 Nigeria
16:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne17 min: The players have had a quick drinks break. A chance for both managers to get a message across.
Rwanda 0-1 Nigeria
16:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne16 min: Aina wins a free-kick for Nigeria. In a similar position that which led to the opening goal. Whipped in perfectly by Lookman as he picks out his captain, Ekong again, but the defender glances his header just wide of the far post.
Rwanda 0-1 Nigeria
16:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne13 min: Lookman picks out a teammate once again with another fine delivery, however, Ekong can only head the ball over the bar.
Very good start by Nigeria.
Rwanda 0-1 Nigeria
16:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne12 min: Almost a second for Nigeria as Mutsinzi takes a wild swipe at the ball and ends up putting it over his own crossbar following Osimhen’s cross.
Lookman standing over this set-piece situation again...
GOAL! Rwanda 0-1 Nigeria | Victor Osimhen '11
16:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne11 min: GOALLLLLLL
It’s a great delivery by Lookman as he picks out Osimhen at the back post and the Nigeria striker simply doesn’t miss from there.
Just the start the Super Eagles needed!
Rwanda 0-0 Nigeria
16:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne10 min: We’ve settled into an early pattern for this fixture; Rwanda happy to sit back and wait for their opportunity and Nigeria tasked with breaking the hosts down.
Free-kick for Nigeria in a decent position, Lookman stands over the ball...
Rwanda 0-0 Nigeria
16:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne6 min: Chukwueze cuts in from the right and tries to find Osimhen with a ball over the top but his pass is slightly overhit and the Galatasaray strike can’t take it in his stride.
Rwanda 0-0 Nigeria
16:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne5 min: A slip in the Rwanda defence gives Lookman a sight of goal, but the forward is crowded out immediately and is forced to conceded a free-kick out of frustration.
Rwanda 0-0 Nigeria
16:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne3 min: Nigeria settling into game with some early possession. They win a free-kick down the right-hand side. Lookman to take...
He sends the ball into the box but Bassey, at the back post, can’t connect with the cross.
Rwanda 0-0 Nigeria
16:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne1 min: Straight away there is concern for Osimhen. He slips to the ground and is holding his shoulder.
Doesn’t appear to have done any damage to himself as he is good to continue and we are back underway.
KICK-OFF!
16:02 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are underway in this World Cup qualifier!
Here we go!
15:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTeams are out onto the pitch.
Kick-off just a few minutes away, as Nigeria look to get their World Cup qualification campaign back on track.
Preparations complete
15:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Rwanda and Nigeria players have been put through their paces, kick-off is fast approaching!
Amavubi
— Rwanda FA (@FERWAFA) March 21, 2025
Warm up ongoing#RWANGA#WCQ2026#TweseInyumayAmavubi
🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼 pic.twitter.com/uFyRQeJv9H
Warm ups #soarsupereagles pic.twitter.com/uTxvYnTElY
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 21, 2025
As it stands
15:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt has not been a great World Cup qualification campaign for Nigeria thus far. Currently four points off the qualification spots, but that can all change with a win today.
Rwanda, meanwhile, have made a fine start by winning two of their four matches and can deliver a hammer blow to the Super Eagles' chances of reaching next summer's tournament.
Around the grounds
15:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJust the one other game in Group C today, kicking off at the same time as this is one as third placed South Africa host fourth-placed Lesotho.
Not long now
15:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneKick-off coming up in just around 20 minutes.
Huge pressure on Nigeria to claim all three points and new manager Eric Chelle has picked a very strong side to do just that.
Nigeria team
15:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAs expected, all the big hitters are back for Nigeria as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Ola Aina all start this crucial World Cup qualifier.
Perhaps the one surprise is the inclusion of Bright Osayi-Samuel at right-back.
Nigeria team in full
15:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria XI: Nwabali; Osayi, Ekong, Bassey, Aina; Chukwueze, Iwobi, Ndidi, Simon; Lookman, Osimhen.
Rwanda team in full
15:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRwanda XI: Ntwari; Omborenga, Niyomuagbo, Mutsinzi, Manzi, Bizimana, Mugisha, Sahabo, Kwizera, Samuel, Nshuti
Nigeria lineup announced
15:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAnd here is how Nigeria will line-up in Eric Chelle’s first game in charge...
#SuperEagles Team News in
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 21, 2025
🟢⚪️
🪨 Ekong Bassey man the rear
⚡️ Ndidi, Iwobi in the middle
🙌🏽 Lookman, Osimhen lead attack line #SoarSuperEagles #RWANGA pic.twitter.com/gBOT961lgP
Rwanda XI
15:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is the Rwanda XI...
Amavubi
— Rwanda FA (@FERWAFA) March 21, 2025
Abagiye kubanza mu kibuga#RWANGA#WCQ2026#TweseInyumayAmavubi
🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼 pic.twitter.com/cnQ5P7iVgD
Nigeria's struggles
15:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneYou have to go all the way back to June 2005 for the last time Nigeria found the net away from home against Rwanda.
The scorer that day? None other than Obafemi Martins.
FIFA World rankings
15:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneToday’s World Cup qualifier pits Nigeria, ranked 44 in the world against the team ranked 124.
However, Nigeria haven’t beaten Rwanda in the last three meetings.
Watch: Rwanda squad arrive
15:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe atmosphere is beginning to build ahead of kick-off...
Amavubi in da house#RWANGA#WCQ2026#TweseInyumaYAmavubi
— Rwanda FA (@FERWAFA) March 21, 2025
🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼 pic.twitter.com/10QB8o17d3
Arrivals
14:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Rwanda squad have arrived at the Amahoro National Stadium ahead of this evening’s World Cup qualifier against Nigeria.
We are expecting team news any minute now...
Ikipe yageze muri stade
— Rwanda FA (@FERWAFA) March 21, 2025
Mu minota mike turajyana ku rugamba.#RWANGA #WCQ2026#TweseInyumaYAmavubi
🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼 pic.twitter.com/K9KNAkKfll
William Troost-Ekong responds
14:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria captain, William Troost-Ekong has issued a response to Rwanda captain, Djihad Bizimana.
"I think every team in Africa is difficult to play against away from home," he said.
"We respect Rwanda, we prepare for them so I am happy to hear they believe they can handle our team, if that's their preparation, so we would see tomorrow in the game.”
Djihad Bizimana: We are not intimidated
14:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRwanda captain, Djihad Bizimana insists his team is not intimidated by Nigeria’s star-studded attack.
“There’s nothing to worry about,” he said. “We already met them twice, and I think most of them are here, so there is nothing to worry about, the Al Ahli midfielder said during the pre-match press conference on Thursday.
“We respect them as a big team with big names, but as players, we are really focused on what we are doing in training.”
Pre-match walk
14:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Nigeria went out squad were out for a walk earlier today, before making their way to the stadium...
Team Walk. 🇳🇬 #WCQ2026 #SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/KKVC4ZHNkS
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 21, 2025
Last time out
14:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA rotated Nigeria side finished their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in meek fashion as Rwanda came from behind to win 2-1 back in November.
fter a largely uneventful first-half, Samuel Chukwueze came off the bench at half-time and opened the scoring on the hour mark, driving into the box and finish low into the corner with his left foot.
Rwanda, though, responded impressively, scoring twice in the space of three minutes to turn the match around. Ange Mutsinzi was left free as the ball was swung in to head home, and almost immediately the visitors then found what proved to be the winning goal, with Innocent Nshuti squeezing in a finish from a tight angle.
Today's setting...
14:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneKick-off at the Amahoro National Stadium is in around 90 minutes time.
🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼#RWANGA#WCQ2026#TweseInyumaYAmavubi pic.twitter.com/5RYYVk3Xek
— Rwanda FA (@FERWAFA) March 21, 2025
Predicted Nigeria XI
14:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNew Nigeria boss Eric Chelle is spoilt for choice in attack with Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Victor Boniface all at his disposal.
Does Chelle stick with a 4-3-3 or switch to 4-4-2?
Predicted Nigeria XI: Nwabali; Bruno Onyemaechi, Ola Aina, Ekong, Bassey; Ndidi, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Simon; Lookman, Osimhen
New Nigeria manager
14:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt's all change for Nigeria with Augustine Eguavoen no longer in charge. Following the loss to Rwanda last November he became the fourth coach fired by the Nigerian federation in the past four years.
His replacement is former Mali international Eric Chelle and he will take charge of his first competitive fixture as Nigeria boss this afternoon.
Rwanda vs Nigeria latest odds
14:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRwanda to win: 4/1
Draw: 17/10
Nigeria to win: 8/13
Odds via Betfair and subject to change
Rwanda vs Nigeria: Head to head history and results
14:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRwanda wins: 1
Draws: 4
Nigeria wins: 2
Standard Sport prediction
14:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAnything less than three points for Nigeria this afternoon and their hopes of qualifying for next summer's World Cup will look even slimmer.
Rwanda, on the other hand, are in a great position and may fancy their chances of picking off the Super Eagles when counter attack opportunities arise.
Still, this talented Nigeria squad will have too much quality.
Nigeria to win, 2-0.
Nigeria team news
14:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria have received a boost with the return of Victor Osimhen, who missed the last qualifiers due to injury.
He could start in attack with Ademola Lookman.
Rwanda team news
13:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFitina Omborenga and his brother Yunusu Nshimiyimana have resumed training with the national team after taking time off to mourn the passing of their father.
How to watch Rwanda vs Nigeria
13:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTV channel: In the UK, the game will not be televised.
Live stream: Fans can catch the contest live online via bet365 Football Live Streaming platform and via FIFA+
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action right here with us!
Welcome
13:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Rwanda vs Nigeria!
The qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup resumes, with the Super Eagles trailing the Group C leaders Benin by five points.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here, ahead of kick-off at 4pm GMT.
