Julius OkorieDespite the avalanche of controversies that has enveloped the country lately, from the Senate President Godswill Akpabio versus Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged sexual abuse brouhaha, to FCT Minister Nyelson Wike versus Governor Sim Fubara fight to the finish for the soul of Rivers State, to the mother of them all, declaration of State of Emergency in the Garden City by Mr President, Nigerians had cause to smile on Friday night.
This follows the impressive performance of the Super Eagles in the World Cup qualifying clash against Rwanda in Kigali.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Eagles who had left no one in doubt that are in Kigali for serious business, took the war to their opponent’s enclave from the first blast of the whistle at the Amahoro Stadium.
The resultant effect of the business minded approach to the match that marked the first for new Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle, was two quick goals by Nigeria’s new king of goals, Victor Osimmeh, which ensured that the Eagles finished the first 45 minutes with two goals advantage.
There were permutations among self-appointed football analysts in the course of the match, that the Eagles will score more goals in the second 45 minutes to make it a 4-0 win. In fact all the indicators of what should have ended in 4-0 win were there.
A break-taking save by Rwanda’s goalkeeper, Fiacre Ntwari, thwarted Moses Simon’s attempt to extend the lead, while William Troost-Ekong came close to scoring from corner kicks on two occasions.
But the Wasps, who had no answers to Eagles incursion managed to avoid further goals, as the Eagles finished the night with two goals, three points advantage.
Action from Rwanda versus Nigeria encounter Friday in Kigali
The victory Friday night was not just an ordinary victory but left a mark on the sound of history as it came with set and broken records. Victorious Eagles are set for immediate return to the country ahead of the next qualifier, a home tie against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, March 25, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.
READ ALSO:World Cup Qualifiers: Eagles Won’t Settle For Less In Kigali, Declares Troost- Ekong
As the Eagles prepare cum eye back to back victory in the double header qualifiers,
Here Are Five Records That Were Set And Broken In the 2-0 Victory Of Rwanda, Friday Night in Kigali.
- It is first outing for new Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle who took over the team in January this year after the departure of Jose Pesseiro and Interim reign by Austin Cerezo Eguavoen.
- It is the first time Super Eagles will be defeating Wasps of Rwanda in Kigali.
3 .Brace Scorer, Victor Osimhen, courtesy of his two goals surpassed former Eagles legend, Mathematical Segun Odegbami as the nation’s all-time goal scorer with his 25th international goal.
Recall that Odegbami won 46 caps and scored 23 goals for the Nigeria national team which he guided to its first Africa Cup of Nations title at home in 1980.
- Osimhen by virtue of his goals on Friday also becomes Nigeria’s second all-time scorer behind the late Rashidi Yekini who scored 37 goals for Nigeria in 62 appearances for the national team.
5. The victory marked Eagles first win in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. The team had drawn three and lost one in the last four matches prior to Friday’s victory
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
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