Nigeria 1-0 Rwanda: Eric Chelle's bold call on 20-year-old defender pays off with first clean sheet in five matches

Nigerian coach Eric Chelle’s bold decision to bench Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong paid off handsomely as Nigeria secured a vital 1-0 win over Rwanda, achieving their first clean sheet in five matches.

With only a few training sessions under his guidance and under mounting pressure to deliver a positive result, Chelle made a surprising tactical switch ahead of the crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo. 

The Franco-Malian benched tthe reliable AFCON 2023 MVP and captain of the team, Troost-Ekong, for Brentford’s on-loan former youth international Benjamin Fredrick, who announced himself during the Unity Cup friendlies earlier this year. 

Troost-Ekong’s absence from the starting XI marked a significant change in strategy, with Wilfred Ndidi stepping up to wear the captain’s armband and lead the midfield

The young defender’s solid performance alongside Fulham’s Player of the Season, Calvin Bassey, helped Nigeria record their first shutout in five outings, a key factor in securing all three points against the Amavubi.

Notably, Nigeria’s last clean sheet was also against Rwanda in a 2-0 victory over the Amavubi stars in Kigali back in March 2025, highlighting the defensive strength they regained in this latest encounter.

Chelle had hinted at changes before kickoff, stressing that every player in the squad “deserves to be here” and could be called upon at any moment. 

When questioned post-match about his decision to leave out the skipper, the Franco-Malian coach remained resolute.

“This is my job. If we win, everybody will be happy, and if we don’t, they will complain, but this is my choice,” Chelle said, as reported by Pulse Sports.

The victory not only keeps Nigeria’s World Cup hopes alive but also validates Chelle’s willingness to make tough decisions, rewarding the team with much-needed defensive solidity.

Now, Chelle and his new defence star will be hoping to make it two clean sheets in two matches when the Super Eagles take on Group C leaders South Africa next in a must-win encounter on Tuesday.