World Cup qualifiers: Nigeria’s chances become slimmer after draw against Zimbabwe

March 25, 2025 7:14 pm

The Super Eagles are fourth in Group C with seven points from six matches

The Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to beat Zimbabwe in their sixth game of the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.

Nigeria played a 1-1 draw with the Zimbabweans before a packed Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo on Tuesday.

A powerful header from Victor Osimhen was cancelled out by a late strike from Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chiwenda to deny Nigeria a crucial victory.

The draw placed the Eagles fourth in Group C of the qualifier, with just seven points from six matches.

For the Zimbabwe tie, Eric Chelle, Super Eagles of Nigeria coach, named the same the line-up that started the team’s 2-0 win over Rwanda on Friday.

Victor Osimhen scored a brace in the previous game and retained his position alongside the trio of Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon.

Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi reprised their roles in midfield in front of an unchanged back four of Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, William Troost-Ekong and Bright Osayi-Samuel.

The Eagles picked up their dazzling performance where they halted last week. The team flooded the Zimbabweans with quick, vibrant attacking sequences in the early part of the match.

Washington Arubi, the Zimbabwean goalkeeper, produced a couple of impressive saves to keep Nigeria at bay.

The goalkeeper clawed out a swerving header from Osimhen before denying the striker a few minutes later with another acrobatic dive to save a shot fizzing into his top corner.

Then, Samuel Chukwueze’s shot sailed millimetres past the upright after a brilliant pass from Moses Simon.

Nigeria resumed dominance in the second half, but the breakthrough did not come until the 74th minute. Osimhen stole into the far post to head home a cross from Ola Aina.

The Eagles were riding the slim victory until Zimbabwe capitalised on a defensive lethagy to wrestle in an equaliser through Chiwenda.

In other matches in the group, South Africa defeated Benin Republic 2-0, and Rwanda drew 1-1 against Lesotho.

GROUP C STANDINGS AFTER SIX GAMES