The Super Eagles benefit from the injury of Zimbabwe’s captain Marvelous Nakamba, who will be out for six weeks due to a soleus injury. This presents a significant challenge for Zimbabwe as they prepare to face Nigeria, who also have injury issues to manage within their squad. Both teams will play crucial qualifying matches soon, with Nigeria aiming to leverage this advantage while overcoming their own injuries.
Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles have received a significant boost ahead of their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Zimbabwe. This advantage arises from the injury of Zimbabwean defensive midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, who recently suffered a setback while playing for his club, Luton Town. The experienced player, who has been a crucial part of Zimbabwe’s midfield and has captained the national team in recent fixtures, is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks due to a soleus injury sustained during a match against Watford.
Nakamba, who has participated in 20 matches this season for Luton, can no longer contribute at this critical juncture, highlighting the team’s loss of a key player. Luton Town head coach Matt Bloomfield confirmed Nakamba’s situation, noting that both he and teammate Shandon Baptiste will be unavailable for an extended period. The coach expressed concern for the team’s overall fitness and ability to compete effectively in the EFL Championship amid these injuries.
For the Super Eagles, Nakamba’s absence presents an opportunity as Zimbabwe’s midfield becomes significantly weakened. Being the captain, Nakamba’s leadership presence will be missed in the dressing room as well. However, Nigeria’s own squad faces challenges, with Semi Ajayi also absent due to a hamstring injury, while attackers such as Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, and Victor Boniface have only recently returned to form after their own injuries.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to play against Rwanda on March 19 before hosting Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on March 22. As they prepare for these crucial qualifiers, the performance of Nigeria’s attackers will be pivotal in determining the team’s success in the upcoming matches.
The injury to Marvelous Nakamba creates a significant advantage for the Nigerian Super Eagles as they face Zimbabwe in upcoming World Cup qualifiers, weakening their opponents without their captain and key midfielder. Despite this, Nigeria must address its own injury concerns and ensure that players returning from injuries are in top form to capitalize on this opportunity. Upcoming matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe will be crucial for their qualifying campaign.
Original Source: soccernet.ng
