2026 World Cup Race: Osimhen’s double rejuvenates Nigeria’s campaign as he chases Yekini

Forward Victor Osimhen, who had not played any part in the campaign previously, rose stoutly to the occasion and boldly revamped Nigeria’s campaign for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

The Super Eagles’ 2-0 win over Amavubi in Kigali on Friday did not take them to the top of group C of the African series, but it planted them back as one of the contenders in a pool in which they inexplicably fluffed nine of a possible 12 in their previous four matches. Turkish-based 2023 Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen played no part in any of those matches, for reasons of injury. Now, they have gone to six points, only four away from top-placed South Africa, who defeated Lesotho in a game played simultaneously as the one in Kigali.

On his first run-out in the campaign, it took Osimhen only 10 minutes to make a mark. Nigeria were awarded a free-kick on the left side of Rwanda’s area, and Ademola Lookman heaved it into the box where three white shirts were lurking. The best-placed of them, Osimhen, connected brilliantly and there was no attempt from goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.

Six months ago, Ntwari was the hero as he denied the Eagles on so many occasions, with their 2025 AFCON qualifying match at the same venue ending scoreless. As Osimhen wheeled away in celebration, the full house inside the magnificent Amahoro Stadium, who had sung and clapped endlessly for three hours, fell silent.

Nigeria continued to dominate. Three minutes later, captain William Ekong headed over from Lookman’s corner, and in the 24^th minute, France-based Simon Moses came close with an angled shot that Fiacre saw in good time and pushed over the sticks.

Two minutes into added time of the first period, Osimhen got his second. The Amavubi had launched another futile onslaught, and in a furious counter, Samuel Chukwueze headed the ball cleverly to beat the rearguard and set up Osimhen, who easily beat his marker and raced away, chipping the ball past a hapless Fiacre.

The three-time African champions spent the second half simply ensuring they controlled the pace of the game, as they look ahead to Tuesday’s home game against Zimbabwe on Day 6 of the qualification series.

In the event, Osimhen rose above Olusegun Odegbami in the number of goals for Nigeria: he now has 25 in 48 matches, making him second only to Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) who netted 37 goals in 58 matches. Odegbami had 23, while Yakubu Ayegbeni scored 21 and Ikechukwu Uche and Obafemi Martins scored 19 and 18 goals each.

The Super Eagles contingent will fly out of Kigali to Uyo on Saturday morning.