Victor Osimhen further established his importance to the Super Eagles with a match-winning brace to lead the team to a 2-0 win over Rwanda in Kigali on Friday.
The Galatarsaray forward produced a clinical performance to hand Nigeria the maximum points in Eric Chelle’s first match in charge of the team.
Eric Chelle opted for an all-attacking set up, featuring Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, and Samuel Chukwueze in a 4-2-3-1 formation in order to fully utilise the team’s attacking riches.
Osimhen opened the scoring for Nigeria with a clinical finish from a pinpoint free kick by Ademola Lookman in the 11th minute.
The Super Eagles continued to probe for further opportunities as Moses Simon’s effort was tipped over the bar by the Rwanda goalkeeper in the 23rd minute.
The Rwandans struggled to threaten Stanley Nwabali in goal for Nigeria before Nigeria added the second goal through Victor Osimhen
The Galatarsaray forward produced a clinical finish after he raced through on goal to beat the Rwandan goalkeeper with a stunning chip to make it 2-0.
The Super Eagles started the second half with intent and purpose aiming to add to their lead but the Rwandans proved stubborn with more compact play.
In a bid to add fresh legs to the team, Eric Chelle took Ola Aina off for Bruno Onyemaechi, and Samuel Chukwueze made way for Raphael Onyedika in the 66th minute.
In the 70th minute, Ademola Lookman’s effort was blocked by a Rwandan defender as the visitors intensified their efforts to add to the lead.
In the 76th minute, Osimhen made way for Tolu Arokodare, Alhassan Yusuf also replaced Bright Osayi-Samuel.
Osimhen has now scored 25 goals for Nigeria in 40 appearances, 12 goals behind all-time top scorer, Rashidi Yekini, who scored 37 goals for the Super Eagles.
The win propelled Nigeria to fourth in Group C with six points from five games.
South Africa moved to the top of the log with 10 points from five games after a 2-0 win over Lesotho.
Benin Republic occupied the second place with eight points from five games followed by Rwanda on seven points from the same number of matches.
Up next for Nigeria is a home clash against Zimbabwe at the Uyo Township Stadium on Tuesday, while Rwanda will take on Lesotho.
South Africa will hope to consolidate their place on top of the log with a clash against Benin Republic on the same day.
Nigeria Defeat Rwanda In Kigali To Boost World Cup Hopes is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler
