Nigeria’s hopes of securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup took another hit on Tuesday as the Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by Zimbabwe in a crucial qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Following a 2-0 victory over Rwanda last Friday, the Super Eagles were determined to build on their momentum and strengthen their qualification chances. However, they were left frustrated by a resilient Zimbabwean side, who snatched a late equalizer to deny Nigeria all three points.
Nigeria dominated possession in the early stages, creating several goal-scoring opportunities, but the Zimbabwean defense stood firm, repelling every attack. Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle’s men struggled to find a breakthrough despite sustained pressure.
The long-awaited moment finally came in the 74th minute when Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock. The Napoli striker expertly connected with a low cross from Simon Moses, heading the ball past the Zimbabwean goalkeeper to give Nigeria a deserved lead.
However, the visitors refused to back down. Just when it seemed Nigeria would secure all three points, the Warriors of Zimbabwe struck in the 90th minute. Tawanda Chirewa capitalized on a lapse in Nigeria’s defense, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali at his near post to silence the home crowd.
Zimbabwe nearly snatched a dramatic winner, with a late effort crashing against the crossbar, but the match ended in a draw—leaving Nigeria with a frustrating result.
Nigeria had chances to put the game beyond Zimbabwe, including a golden opportunity for Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who failed to convert when through on goal.
The Super Eagles ultimately paid the price for their defensive frailties, conceding a last-minute equalizer that dealt a major blow to their World Cup qualification campaign.
The draw leaves Nigeria in a precarious position, needing positive results in their remaining matches to keep their hopes alive.
Meanwhile, in another Group C encounter, South Africa secured a crucial victory over Benin Republic, further intensifying the competition for qualification spots.
With more challenging fixtures ahead, the Super Eagles must regroup and refine their strategies if they hope to book a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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