Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes were hindered by a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe. Despite a goal from Victor Osimhen, who set a new record for World Cup qualifying goals, the team allowed Zimbabwe to equalize late in the match. This result places Nigeria fourth in their group, trailing behind South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin.
Nigeria’s hopes for qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered another setback with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom. After a promising 2-0 victory over Rwanda, the Super Eagles struggled to capitalize on their dominance against the Warriors, failing to convert numerous opportunities into goals.
The Super Eagles finally broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute, when Moses Simon delivered a well-placed ball to Tolu Arokodare, who assisted Ola Aina. Following a precise cross from Aina, Victor Osimhen headed the ball past the Zimbabwean goalkeeper, marking his 26th international goal and surpassing Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s World Cup qualifying record, with only Obafemi Martins ahead of him.
However, in a shocking twist, Zimbabwe equalized in the 90th minute. Tawanda Chirewa took advantage of poor defending, advancing unchallenged before expertly finishing past the Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. This result positions Nigeria fourth in their group with seven points, trailing South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin, each with eight points. South Africa’s recent victory has extended their lead to 13 points, leaving Nigeria six points adrift with only four matches remaining.
The African qualification process guarantees only one automatic slot for the winner of each group while offering an opportunity for the four best second-placed teams to advance to a playoff, a necessary step towards inter-continental qualification.
In summary, the Super Eagles’ draw against Zimbabwe has significantly diminished their prospects for World Cup qualification. Despite an impressive performance, they failed to secure a win, leaving them in a challenging position within their group. The upcoming matches are crucial for their chances to qualify, highlighting the pressing need for improved performance in the remaining games.
Original Source: dailytrust.com
