Nigeria’s World Cup dream is back on the line — and Victor Osimhen is back to lead the charge. The 26-year-old striker, who missed the last international window, has been recalled for the Super Eagles’ crucial double-header against Rwanda and South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Osimhen was left out of Eric Chelle’s squad in June as Nigeria lifted the Unity Cup and drew 1-1 with Russia, with the coach opting to test younger home-based players. But with Nigeria now trailing Group C leaders South Africa by six points, the Galatasaray forward’s return could not have come at a more critical time.
The former Napoli talisman has already started the season brightly, scoring twice in three league matches for his new club in Turkey. He will be expected to replicate his March heroics, when he scored a brace in Kigali against Rwanda before netting against Zimbabwe, only to see the points slip away in stoppage time.
Nigeria’s path to qualification is razor-thin. If South Africa defeat Lesotho on Saturday, the Super Eagles will be left with no margin for error — they must beat Rwanda in Uyo and then snatch all three points in the high-stakes showdown at Bloemfontein’s Free State Stadium four days later. Anything less could see automatic qualification hopes vanish.
Chelle has named a strong supporting cast alongside Osimhen, including Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, and Calvin Bassey. The squad blends proven European-based stars with rising talents, but the spotlight will undoubtedly fall on Osimhen’s ability to inspire belief in a team that has struggled to convert chances into victories.
Nigeria currently sit third in the group with just two points from two matches. Only the group winners progress automatically to the World Cup, jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in 2026. A second-place finish would force the Eagles into a perilous playoff route, leaving no room for complacency in September’s fixtures.
For Osimhen, who has carried Nigeria’s attacking hopes for nearly half a decade, these qualifiers represent more than just goals — they are about legacy, leadership, and keeping alive a nation’s burning dream to return to the biggest stage in football. All eyes will be on him when the Super Eagles step out in Uyo on Friday night.
