Nigeria vs. Rwanda final score: World Cup qualifying result, highlights as Arokodare strikes after Osimhen injury

Nigeria battled to a vital 1-0 win over Rwanda to keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup alive.

The Super Eagles' 2-0 win in the reverse fixture was their only win in six attempts in CAF Group C heading into Saturday's game at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, where a tense encounter ensued.

Victor Osimhen scored both goals in the teams' previous meeting, but the Galatasaray striker was forced off 10 minutes before the break to compound a listless first-half showing from Eric Chelle's men.

Chelle sent on Tolu Arokodare for Frank Onyeka at the break and the Wolves forward got the breakthrough six minutes later.

Rwanda goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari denied Arokodare and when Ola Aina diverted the ball back towards goal, the prone substitute clattered it in via the underside of the crossbar.

Calvin Bassey made a vital clearance off the line as the clock ticked down, but Nigeria avoided a repeat of Zimbabwe's stoppage-time equaliser in their March qualifier.

Much of Group C now appears to hinge on Tuesday's qualifier between South Africa and Nigeria in Bloemfontein. Bafana Bafana are six points ahead of their rivals with three matches remaining. Only the group winners are guaranteed a place at the 2026 World Cup, while the runners-up could compete in the inter-confederation playoffs.

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Nigeria vs. Rwanda score

Venue: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo
Referee: Pierre Ghislain Atcho (Gabon)

Starting lineups:

Nigeria (4-2-3-1, right to left): 23. Nwabali (GK) — 2. Aina, 13. Fredrick, 21. Bassey, 3. Onyemaechi — 4. Ndidi, 17. Iwobi — 8. Onyeka. 7. Lookman, 15. Simon — 9. Osimhen

Rwanda (4-1-4-1, right to left): 1. Ntwari (GK) — 15. Mugusha  5. Mutsinzi, 17. Manzi, 2. Niyomugabo — 19. Nshuti —  13. Omborenga, 4. Dizimana, 12. Mugisha 14. Kavita — 9. Hamon

Nigeria vs. Rwanda live updates, commentary, highlights

Fulltime

Nigeria get the job done and it will be all eyes on Bloemfontein on Tuesday for that massive match with South Africa. Will Victor Osimhen recover in time?

73 mins: Oh my, Bassey with a vital block on the line from a Rwanda corner. There could be some nervy moments ahead for the Super Eagles.

64 mins: Great double save from Ntwari to deny Simon and then Lookman. Rwanda pressing forward to find an equaliser is leaving Nigeria's gifted attackers with the sort of space and freedom they saw none of during the first half.

51 mins: GOAL FOR NIGERA!!!!! THE SUPER EAGLES LEAD!!!!! It's the substitute Arokodare who gets the breakthrough. The Wolves forward might never score a stranger or more important goal. Ntwari denied him initially and, when Aina put the ball back towards goal, Arokodare was prone near the line and smashed it home via the underside of the crossbar. 

46 mins: We're back underway. Another change for Nigeria as Arokodare replaces Onyeka.

Halftime

Iwobi hits a misjudged pass out for a goalkick and that's a wrap for the half. Rwanda playing like a team that know a draw is a good result and know they can get it. Nigeria skipper Ndidi calls his men into a huddle for a rallying talk before they leave the field.

35 mins: Osimhen is forced off through injury and is replaced by Cyriel Dessers. Really not going to plan for Nigeria.

32 mins: Iwobi tries his look from distance and Ntwari tips over. You can sense frustration building for Nigeria.

8 mins: Osimhen, who scored both goals in the reverse fixture, thinks he's put Nigeria in front when he taps home at the far post on the end of Lookman's pass but the offside flag goes up.

Nigeria vs. Rwanda kick off time

The match kicks off in Uyo, Nigeria at 5 p.m. local time.

Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:

Nigeria vs. Rwanda lineups, team news

Chelle has seven Premier League players in his squad for these key matches, with Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina and Alex Iwobi all set to start.

Samuel Chukwueze completed a deadline-day loan move to join Iwobi at Fulham and will line up alongside Victor Osimhen in attack.

Osimhen will be under pressure to fire for Nigeria with Chelle opting against calling several key forwards, including Victor Boniface, Umar Sadiq and Taiwo Awoniyi.

Nigeria starting XI  (4-2-3-1, right to left): 23. Nwabali (GK) — 2. Aina, 13. Fredrick, 21. Bassey, 3. Onyemaechi — 4. Ndidi, 17. Iwobi — 8. Onyeka. 7. Lookman, 15. Simon — 9. Osimhen

Injured: None
Suspended: None

Nigeria full roster

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Adebayo Adeleye, Amas, Obasogie.

Defenders: William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Chidozie Awaziem, Calvin Bassey, Bright Oyasi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Felix Agu, Benjamin Fredrick.

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Wifred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Christantus Uche.

Forwards: Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Cyriel Dessers, Tolu Arokodare.

Rwanda are led by veteran coach Adel Amrouche, who has previously managed Burundi, Kenya, Libya, Botswana, Yemen and Tanzania.

The majority of his squad are based domestically in Rwanda, but Rhode Island FC forward Jojea Kwizera is the player to watch with two goals in qualification already.

Rwanda (4-1-4-1, right to left): 1. Ntwari (GK) — 15. Mugusha  5. Mutsinzi, 17. Manzi, 2. Niyomugabo — 19. Nshuti —  13. Omborenga, 4. Dizimana, 12. Mugisha 14. Kavita — 9. Hamon

Injured: None
Suspended: None

Rwanda full roster

Goalkeepers: Fiacre Ntwari, Pierre Ishimwe, Clement Twizere Buhake.

Defenders: Fitina Omborenga, Thierry Manzi, Ange Mutsinzi, Claude Niyomugabo, Aly-Enzo Hamon, Phanuel Kavita, Alexis Nduwayo, Darryl Nkulikiyimana, Emmanuel Nshimiyimana.

Midfielders: Dijhad Bizimana, Kevin Muhire, Bonheur Mugisha, Jojea Kwizera, Bryan Ngwabije, Claude Kayibanda.

Forwards: Innocent Nshuti, Gilbert Mugisha, Abeddy Birmahire, Arthur Gitego, Anicet Ishimwe.

Nigeria vs. Rwanda Forest live stream, TV channel

Here is how to watch the match in some of the world's major regions: