…As Morocco emerges first African team to qualify
The Super Eagles of Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying challenges got a boost on Saturday as Tolu Arokodare came off the bench to create direct impact in the game.
Super sup Arokodare scored within five minutes of being introduced into the game to keep Eagles’ World Cup qualifiers push alive with a slim victory over Rwanda in Uyo.
The victory moves the Super Eagles to 10 points from six matches—one game fewer than South Africa (16) and Benin (11)—and tightens a congested battle behind the leaders in Group C, while Rwanda slip to eight points.
On Friday, the Atlas Lions sealed a ruthless 5–0 victory over Niger in Rabat to emerge as the first African team to qualified for the 2026 World Cup, while Tanzania’s draw away to Congo in their Matchday 6 of their African qualifiers.
The result for the Moroccans clinched top spot in Group E with two matches to spare in the group following the withdrawal of Eritrea from the group.
The victory also confirmed a third successive World Cup for the Atlas Lions and their seventh appearance overall.
Back in Uyo on Saturday, the Super Eagles struggled to open a compact back line of the visitors, after an
attritional first half in which Nigeria dominated.
Eric Chelle, Super Eagles head coach
made a decisive change at the interval, introducing Arokodare for Frank Onyeka.
The switch added penalty-area presence, and the striker provided the breakthrough on 51 minutes, reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box and steering home from close range.
Rwanda had defended stoutly before the interval—bookings for Ishimwe Nshuti , Fidel Ntwari and Fitina Omborenga reflecting the intensity of their rearguard effort—while Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was cautioned on 25 minutes.
Chances were otherwise scarce, with Nigeria’s clearest openings falling to Cyriel Dessers and Ademola Lookman, who were kept largely at arm’s length.
Chasing the game, Rwanda turned to the bench, replacing Omborenga with Jojea Kwizera just before the hour and later introducing Aimable Biramahire.
Nigeria responded by freshening their attack and then shoring up the closing stages: Fisayo Dele-Bashiru replaced Lookman, before Bright Osayi-Samuel and William Troost-Ekong came on in the 87th minute to help see out the result.
The Super Eagles managed the final minutes efficiently, limiting Rwanda to long-range efforts and set-plays as they banked a first clean sheet since the June window.
With two fixtures left in the campaign and a game in hand on both South Africa and Benin, Nigeria remain firmly in contention—this hard-earned win ensuring the group’s automatic place and runners-up race will go to the final international window.
