Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup hopes in jeopardy, following the Super Eagles 1-1 against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Victor Osimhen had fired a late opener, = only for Zimbabwe to draw level, hurting the Super Eagles’ hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup.
The Napoli striker broke the deadlock midway through the second half, finally breaching a resolute Zimbabwean defense, but Nigeria failed to secure a third win of the campaign.
Tawanda Chirewa came off the bench to net a late equalizer for Zimbabwe and break Nigerian hearts.
Eric Chelle named an unchanged starting XI from Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Rwanda four days earlier.
Stanley Nwabali started in goal, with Ola Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel flanking the center-back duo of Calvin Bassey and William Troost-Ekong.
Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze controlled the midfield, while Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman provided support for Osimhen in attack.
Nigeria started brightly, and Osimhen had two big chances in the opening 10 minutes.
First, the Galatasaray forward saw his angled effort tipped behind, before his powerful header from the resulting corner forced another fine stop.
Osayi-Samuel then went one-on-one with the Zimbabwe goalkeeper but was denied at the last moment.
Despite Nigeria’s early pressure, Zimbabwe remained organised and posed a threat on the counter.
In the 15th minute, Walter Musona raced clear and struck a fierce shot that hit the side netting.
Nigeria responded moments later, with Lookman’s effort from distance just clearing the crossbar.
Simon, a constant threat down the left, tormented his marker but was wasteful in key moments, opting to shoot when a cross to Osimhen looked the better option.
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Zimbabwe came close again in the 19th minute when Nwabali had to rush out and smother the ball at Khama Billiat’s feet after a defence-splitting pass.
Nigeria’s best first-half chance arrived on the half-hour mark. Iwobi set Simon away on a counter-attack, and the Nantes winger squared for Chukwueze, whose first-time strike whistled just past the post.
Just before the break, Osimhen appeared to be fouled in the box, but the referee waved play on, leaving Nigerians frustrated.
Lookman then had a close-range shot blocked, and Iwobi fired narrowly over from the edge of the area with the last kick of the half.
Nigeria resumed on the front foot and carved out three quick chances, but Osimhen, Simon, Lookman, and Iwobi all failed to hit the target from promising positions.
Simon, Nigeria’s standout performer, delivered a teasing in-swinger in the 54th minute, but Osimhen couldn’t get on the end of it.
Moments later, Simon’s dazzling dribble set up Lookman, but the Atalanta forward was crowded out before he could shoot.
Chelle introduced Tolu Arokodare for Chukwueze just after the hour mark, seeking a breakthrough.
Nigeria kept pushing, with Osimhen setting up Simon for a golden chance, but the winger fired wide. Arokodare then saw two-headed efforts – one saved and another off-target – as Nigeria piled on the pressure.
Finally, with 17 minutes remaining, the breakthrough arrived. Simon lofted a searching ball to Arokodare, who flicked it into Aina’s path.
The Nottingham Forest defender whipped in a perfect cross, and Osimhen glanced a header past the Zimbabwe keeper.
It was Osimhen’s 26th international goal and seventh in World Cup qualifying, moving him past Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s record of six.
Only Obafemi Martins with 10 has now scored more World Cup qualifying goals for Nigeria.
With Rwanda drawing at home to Lesotho, Nigeria momentarily climbed into second spot in Group C.
However, the Super Eagles lost the plot and Zimbabwe almost equalised, but the crossbar came to Nigeria’s rescue with Nwabali beaten.
The Warriors eventually found the equaliser after Chirewa surged through the Nigerian defence before poking the ball past Nwabali in the closing stages.
The draw leaves Nigeria on seven points and stuck in fourth place behind South Africa, Rwanda and Benin, who both have eight.
South Africa’s 2-0 win away to Benin sees the Bafana Bafana boast 13 points and keeps the Super Eagles six points behind the leaders with only four more games to play.
