A combative and resilient display put up by Zimbabwe’s Warriors denied Nigeria’s Super Eagles victory in their Matchday 6 encounter of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers which ended 1-1 at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo.
In a Match they needed to win to get in contention for the sole automatic ticket from group C, the Super Eagles established dominance in possession and looked comfortable in the task of ensuring that they win the game.
But clearcut goalscoring opportunities were few and far between with Victor Osimhen proving the only real threat in individual sense.
A combination of dogged defending and good goalkeeping by Zimbabwe’s 39 year-old goalkeeper Washington Arubi, meant the Super Eagles struggled to find a breakthrough to no avail untill the 74th minute when Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock.
Osimhen proved again why he is the soul of his country’s national team when he reacted swiftly to send the Godswill Akpabio stadium crowd into a frenzy with a clinical finish.
The pacy and energetic Osimhen, one of the most lethal finishers in the world looked to have taken a knock and was withdrawn by head coach Eric Chelle ostensibly, for precautionary measure as Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface came on.
However fans’ hopes for the Super Eagles to adopt requisite game management strategy to protect the lead and see out the game was cruelly dashed in the 90th minute when Zimbabwe substitute Tawanda Chirewa exploited gaps in Nigeria’s defence to stun the Godswill Akpabio stadium crowd with the heartbreaking equaliser.
Following South Africa’s 2-0 triumph over Benin Republic which consolidates the Bafana Bafana as leaders of group C with 13 points, Nigeria’s draw with Zimbabwe leaves the Super Eagles with only 7 points and also means that their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying hopes now hang in the balance.
Baring some extraordinary sequence of results and developments like a purported imminent points deduction from South Africa due to alleged use of an ineligible player, Nigeria’s dream of playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup may not materialise.
Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie
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