Victor Osimhen inspired Nigeria to her first win in World Cup 2026 qualifying while Algeria and South Africa moved to the top of their groups.
The on-loan Galatasaray forward netted both goals in Nigeria’s 2-0 Group C victory in Kigali, Rwanda, and the Super Eagles are now four points behind South Africa halfway through the campaign.
Nigeria’s bid for a place at the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada was in the balance after taking just three points from her first four matches.
Only the nine group winners are assured of a place at the expanded 48-team World Cup finals next year.
Osimhen had been absent through injury from all those games, played across November 2023 and June last year, and had spoken before the crucial trip to Kigali of how “desperate” he and his team-mates were to reach the tournament.
The pressure was also on new boss Eric Chelle, who is the first non-Nigerian African to take charge of the Super Eagles.
But Osimhen settled any nerves in the 11th minute when he was left unmarked at the back post to guide in Ademola Lookman’s pinpoint free-kick pass.
The striker capitalised on hesitant defending before racing clear and dinking past the onrushing keeper to double the lead in first-half injury time.
Nigeria move up to fourth in Group C, behind South Africa, Benin and Rwanda, and will host bottom side Zimbabwe in her next match on Tuesday.
Bafana Bafana moved to the summit after overcoming a stubborn Lesotho side 2-0 thanks to second-half strikes from Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams.
Elsewhere, DR Congo moved level on points with surprise Group B leaders Sudan as Theo Bongonda’s powerful effort secured a 1-0 win over South Sudan after a disjointed display in Kinshasa.
Meanwhile, Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea registered comfortable wins, with Emilio Nsue scoring for the latter on his return to action following a row over his eligibility.
There are five more qualifiers on Friday, March 21, with Egypt, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Morocco all in action.
Friday’s African World Cup qualifying results and fixtures
Burkina Faso 4-1 Djibouti (Group A)
Ethiopia v Egypt (Group A, 21:00 GMT)
DR Congo 1-0 South Sudan (Group B)
South Africa 2-0 Lesotho (Group C)
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria (Group C)
Niger v Morocco (Group E, 21:30 GMT)
Burundi v Ivory Coast (Group F, 19:00 GMT)
Botswana 1-3 Algeria (Group G)
Guinea v Somalia (Group G, 21:00 GMT)
Equatorial Guinea 2-0 Sao Tome e Principe (Group H).
