JOHANNESBURG: Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen scored both goals as Nigeria beat Rwanda 2-0 in Kigali on Friday to win for the first time in 2026 World Cup qualifying.

The 26-year-old forward, on loan from Napoli to Galatasaray, struck after 11 minutes and three minutes into added time at the end of the first half.

Reigning African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman set up the first goal with a free-kick to the far post, where unmarked Osimhen fired past goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.

As half-time loomed, Osimhen raced forward from just inside the Rwandan half, then deftly chipped the ball over Ntwari and into the net.

They were the first goals scored by Osimhen in this World Cup campaign, and his brace came as a huge relief to new Ivory Coast-born coach Eric Chelle.

The former Mali boss is the third coach to lead the Super Eagles in five World Cup qualifiers after Portuguese Jose Peseiro and Nigerian Finidi George.

Peseiro quit after Nigeria finished runners-up to hosts Ivory Coast in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations. Earlier, he had overseen World Cup draws with Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

Former Nigeria midfielder George left after a World Cup draw with South Africa was followed by a shock loss to Benin.

Victory over Rwanda in front of a crowd including President Paul Kagame lifted Nigeria one place to fourth in hotly contested Group ‘C’ with five rounds remaining.

South Africa scored twice in four second-half minutes through Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams to beat Lesotho 2-0 in Polokwane and top the table with 10 points.

Benin have eight points, Rwanda seven, Nigeria six, Lesotho five and Zimbabwe three.

Only the nine group winners are guaranteed places at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. African and inter-continental play-offs could raise the qualifiers to 10.

Nigeria host Zimbabwe on Tuesday, the same day South Africa face a potentially tricky away assignment against Benin in Abidjan.

SALAH SCORES

Ivory Coast and Ghana went to the top of their respective mini-leagues after contrasting victories.

The Ivorians took over at the top of Group ‘F’ as they claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Burundi in a game played in Morocco. Evann Guessand scored his first goal for the Ivorians to settle the contest.

Ghana, who failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco later this year, moved top of Group ‘I’ with a 5-0 hammering of Chad in Accra.

Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Salisu and Ernest Nuamah all scored for the home side, who lead Madagascar in by two points.

Captain Mohamed Salah scored for Egypt as they eased to a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia. Zizo bagged Egypt’s second goal as they opened up a commanding five point lead in Group ‘A’ at the halfway point of the qualification campaign.

Burkina Faso earlier defeated Djibouti 4-1 to move into second in the pool.

Morocco, the 2022 semi-finalists, had the luxury of playing their ‘away’ clash with Niger at home in Oujda with their opponents having no suitable stadiums to host international matches.

But they needed an equaliser on the hour-mark from Ismael Saibari, and then a winner two minutes into stoppage time from El Khannouss to claim a 2-1 victory and lead Group ‘E’ by six points from second-placed Niger.

Mohamed Amoura netted a brace as Algeria won 3-1 in Botswana to move top of Group ‘G’ on goal difference from Mozambique.

Guinea were held to a goalless draw by minnows Somalia in neutral Abidjan in a blow to their chances.

The Democratic Republic of Congo edged South Sudan thanks to Theo Bongondas first half winner as they moved into second in Group ‘B’ behind leaders Sudan.

Emilio Nsue scored on his return to the Equatorial Guinea side in their 2-0 win over minnows Sao Tome and Principe.

Nsue served a six-month ban imposed by FIFA after previously being ruled ineligible to represent the central African nation, despite being their all-time leading scorer.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2025