Nigeria secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Rwanda in their CAF World Cup qualification Group C clash on Friday, thanks to a brace from Victor Osimhen.

Osimhen opened the scoring in the 11th minute, giving the Super Eagles an early lead following a deadly cross from Ademola Lookman.

The striker doubled Nigeria’s advantage in first-half stoppage time (45+3’), sealing an important win for his side.

The match saw a physical battle, with Rwanda’s D. Bizimana receiving a yellow card in the 46th minute, followed by Nigeria’s Wilfred Ndidi picking up a booking in the 49th minute.

Despite Rwanda enjoying 45% possession, they struggled to break through Nigeria’s defence, managing only two shots on target.

Nigeria, on the other hand, registered three shots on target and eight corner kicks, dominating offensive play.

The victory lifts Nigeria to fourth place in Group C with six points from five matches, keeping their qualification hopes alive.

South Africa currently tops the group with 10 points, followed by Benin (8 points) and Rwanda (7 points).

Nigeria will now look ahead to their next fixtures as they aim to climb further up the standings and secure a spot in the next stage of the qualification campaign.

The Federal Government and Enugu State Government have signed the host state agreement in respect of the 2026 National Sports Festival billed to hold in the South East State.

The agreement, which was signed by the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade for the FG and Governor Peter Mbah for Enugu State, on Tuesday, now awards Enugu State the full hosting rights for the 2026 edition of the National Sports Festival.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Government House, Enugu, Governor Peter Mbah thanked the Commission and other sports stakeholders for the confidence reposed in the state and his administration to stage the event, assuring that it would discharge its hosting responsibilities in a way that would leave a lifelong memory and experience on the athletes and all lovers of sports in Nigeria and beyond.

“We also appreciate the value and significance of this award. I want to commend the commission for finding Enugu worthy of being the next host of the 23rd National Sports Festival. We are going to discharge ourselves creditably.

“As you know, we like to be a role model as a state that gained preeminence over 115 years ago. We will not want to let our forebears down. We will live up to that standard.

“We have already set forth at dawn. Immediately that announcement was made, we mobilised our team. We are already working on revamping the Awgu Games Village and a whole lot. We have decided to deliver a brand new Games Village. We are also completely renovating the stadium to brand new.

“We are making sure that by the time you come here by the end of this year, you are going to be highly impressed. It is not revamping, rebranding or re-equipping, but we are also going to build additional facilities to the existing one. We are looking forward to having a word-class experience befitting the sports men and women, making our hosting a lifelong memory and experience,” he stated.

L-R: Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Enugu State, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu; Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah; and the Director-General, National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olapade, during the signing of the Host State Agreement for 2026 National Sports Festival between the Commission and Enugu State Government the Government House, Enugu, Tuesday.

Earlier in his address, Hon. Olopade said the commission was encouraged by Enugu’s bid, available facilities, improved security in the state, and Governor Mbah’s determination to turn around the sports and social infrastructure to grant Enugu the right to host the event after the 22nd edition to be hosted by Ogun State.

The National Sports Commission boss added that the hosting would boost investment and tourism in the state before, during, and after the event.

Super Eagles winger, Ademola Lookman, has been named the CAF Footballer of the Year for the past year.

Lookman was announced as the winner at an elaborate event in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday night.

The Atalanta star won the prize ahead of Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

It has been an incredible year for Lookman, who became the first player to score a hat-trick in the Europa League/UEFA Cup final since 1975, netting the three goals within 26 minutes against Bayer Leverkusen.

Lookman was included in the Team of the Year for the Europa League, and ended the season having had a direct hand in 18 top flight goals for La Dea.

The 27-year-old was ranked the 14th best player during the Ballon d’Or gala on October 28.