Nigeria's hopes of qualifying for 2026 World Cup suffer another blow after 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe

NIGERIA'S hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup took a further knock today as the Super Eagles played their second successive draw in the qualification series sharing the spoils in 1 -1 draw with the Warriors of Zimbabwe.

Last Thursday, the Eagles started their campaign very badly, drawing 1-1 with lowly Lesotho at home in Uyo. Today, the team had an opportunity to redeem itself but again fell short, only managing to get a point after going behind to Zimbabwe fixture at the Huye Stadium, Butare in Rwanda, where the match was played.

In what was another lacklustre performance, the Warriors sat back early on allowing the Super Eagles to dictate the pace of the game. However, despite their possession, the Eagles were unable to penetrate the Zimbabwean defence and it was the Warriors who took the lead in the 26th minute through a Walter Musona free kick.

He scored from way outside the area, slotting home a kick with goalkeeper Francis Uzoho should have easily saved. To the frustration of Nigerian football fans, the team went behind against the run of play after squandering the first chance of the game when Terem Moffi failed to connect to Moses Simon’s cross.

Mr Peseiro made three changes after the break with Bright Osayi-Samuel, Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Boniface replacing Ola Aina, Frank Onyeka and Nathan Tella. However, despite this Zimbabwe gained confidence after the break and started taking the game to the Super Eagles.

Fortunately for Nigeria, however, substitute Iheanacho equalised for the Super Eagles 25 minutes from time. Jose Peseiro’s side will now host Bafana Bafana of South Africa in their next game in June 2024.