Nigeria’s World Cup dream just got a shot of adrenaline, and it came off the boot of a man who doesn’t waste time with long introductions, Tolu Arokodare.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers striker, who many fans are already calling “Omo-Godswill Akpabio Stadium”, needed just six minutes on the pitch to make his mark.
His scrappy 51st-minute tap-in was all the Super Eagles required to cage the Wasps of Rwanda 1-0 in Saturday’s Group A qualifier in Uyo.
For the long-suffering fans, it was more than a goal, it was therapy.
After six games without victory, the Super Eagles finally remembered what it feels like to collect three points.
A Game of Missed Chances and Tight Defenses
It all started brightly when Victor Osimhen thought he had given Nigeria an early lead in the 8th minute.
But the assistant referee’s flag went up faster than Lagos traffic wardens chasing a danfo driver, –offside.
Simon Moses kept buzzing down the flank like a man late for owambe, but his shots either missed narrowly or were stopped by Rwanda’s impressive goalkeeper, Fiacre Ntwari.
Alex Iwobi tried his luck from distance, but the ball refused to cooperate.
The first half ended goalless, with fans in Uyo left praying for a miracle.
The Super Sub Delivers
Enter Arokodare — tall, hungry, and apparently allergic to goalless draws.
With his very first real chance, he bundled home the match-winner and wheeled away in celebration.
The crowd roared, the drums beat louder, and Nigeria remembered that football is indeed a joy-giver.
Ntwari wasn’t done, though.
He pulled off a double save from Simon and Ademola Lookman to keep Rwanda in the game.
But Nigeria’s defense, led by some inspired backline work, refused to be bullied in the closing stages.
Table Matters
The result pushes Nigeria to third place with 10 points from seven matches, overtaking Rwanda.
The Eagles are now just a point behind Benin Republic but still six points adrift of group leaders South Africa.
And speaking of South Africa, that’s Nigeria’s next stop on September 9.
Another must-win, another chance for Arokodare and company to remind the continent that the Super Eagles may stumble, but they don’t stay down for long.
As one fan in Uyo put it after the match: “Abeg, even if it’s 1-0, just dey win. Na World Cup we dey go, no be music concert.”