Some football fans, on Friday, commended the Super Eagles of Nigeria as they defeated Rwanda 2-0 in their Group C encounter of the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series.
They said that the result was a very good one as they believe the victory will spur Eagles to achieve more wins.
Victor Osimhen’s two first half goals were good enough to seal the victory for Nigeria as new coach, Eric Chelle, picks his first win.
Olayinka Akintola, a football fan, congratulated the Super Eagles for an all-important win.
“It is now the qualification has started for us; we have to get more results like this and hope that other teams like South Africa who are leading with 10 points can also slip.
“We have to play very well in our next match; it is very important we get the three points available, we cannot afford to play draw or lose any other match,” Akintola said.
Similarly, Agbo Adeola said that the match was well contested, and Nigeria deserved the result they got.
“We are obviously in a tight corner, teams like South Africa, Benin and even Rwanda with 10, 8 and seven points will not be easy to overtake.
“They will want to work very hard to hold on to their points and build on it to be better placed in the group.
“We can only hope on luck and work very hard to at least win our other matches to give us the morale booster we need to go into each game,” Adeola said.
Another football fan, Gift Murphy, said that Nigeria was playing in a difficult situation having played poorly in the other previous matches.
“We can only pray that other teams also do not win their matches, such as South Africa, Benin and Rwanda, but it is hard to say such.
“Every other team wants to be at the mundial come 2026 and for Super Eagles to be able to turn things around, it would be something special.
“I congratulate them in the victory against Rwanda and wish them all the luck they need to go to the next world cup,” Murphy said.
Ghenga Olaseni, a football analyst, said that the team was waking up at a very crucial time and that all hope was not lost.
“We just have to keep winning, initially the group did not look like a threat to us but unfortunately, we played ourselves into difficult circumstances.
“It is very important we continue to back the team to pick their good result, especially when they play teams like South Africa and Benin.
“Because all those teams would be hoping to win or draw, so it’s going to be very hard but we just have to keep fighting and be positive for all our games ahead,” Olaseni said.
Many other fans prayed that Nigeria’s match with Zimbabwe in Uyo on Tuesday, would be another win.
Football fans in Ebonyi State also urged the Super Eagles to play the remaining 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches with purpose and vigour, in order to qualify for the next edition of the mundial.
Some of the fans, while reacting to the outcome of the Eagles match against Rwanda on Friday, warned the Nigerian team against complacency.
Richard Idike, Ebonyi Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, commended the team for the win and urged it to sustain the trajectory.
“The team played very well and brought back the attacking memories of yore with Austin Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo among others on display.
“The players should, however, realise that it has won only one match in the qualifiers and any further dropped point will be disastrous,” he said.
Ikenna Odo, a member of the Ebonyi Football Association, hailed the team’s attacking flair and its star players for rising to the occasion.
“A team which has the immediate past and the present African Footballers of the Year cannot afford to miss two consecutive world cups.
“Beginning with match against bottom- placed Zimbabwe in Uyo on Tuesday, the team should approach the remaining qualifiers with the same commitment”, he said.
Josiah Obi, a business man and football buff, praised Coach Eric Chelle for winning his first match in charge of the team.
“The team trained for only three days before the match, but still displayed an attacking gusto not seen for a long time.
“The available days it has to train before the Zimbabwean match will be an immense advantage, to play more cohesively” he said.
Mrs Oluchi Ikpe, a teacher and football enthusiast, urged Nigerians to pray for the team owing to the tortuous road it will pass to qualification.
“The team has to win its remaining matches even away to South Africa, to qualify.
“The unflinching spirit exhibited by the players gives me the belief that with prayers, the task is achievable,” she said.
