Nigeria vs Rwanda: 3 things we learnt from 2026 World Cup qualifier

Nigeria beat Rwanda 1-0 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

Wolves striker, Tolu Arokodare, came off the bench to score the winner in the 51st minute.

The victory means the Super Eagles are now in third place in Group C of the African qualifying zone.

The three-time African champions will take on group leaders South Africa next Tuesday.

But what are the things we learnt from the game against Rwanda?

1. South Africa will be a tougher test: The Super Eagles were far from impressive yet again against the Rwandans, and it all seemed to stem from Eric Chelle’s formation, which did not have a player manning the right wing. The game against South Africa is make-or-break, and Nigerian players will have to step it up against Bafana Bafana.

2. Arokodare is a decent deputy for Osimhen: Fresh from signing for Wolves, Arokodare put his name in the headlines, scoring the winner for Nigeria. It is the second time he has come off the bench to find the back of the net. And with Victor Osimhen likely to miss the trip to South Africa, it would make sense for Chelle to give him a start.

3. Absence of VAR a disgrace: For the second time in the qualifying series, the Eagles have been denied what appeared to be a legitimate goal, simply because there is no Video Assistant Referee, VAR. At the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Osimhen seemed to have given Nigeria the lead, but the linesman raised his flag. Replays showed he was onside. But there was no VAR check available.

Nigeria vs Rwanda: 3 things we learnt from 2026 World Cup qualifier