Nigeria suffered a major setback in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Zimbabwe at the Goodswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Despite taking the lead through Victor Osimhen in the 73rd minute, a late equalizer from Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa in the dying moments of the match left the home side stunned and their qualification hopes hanging in the balance.
A Tale of Missed Opportunities
The Super Eagles came into this fixture as firm favorites, buoyed by a talented squad featuring some of Europe’s most exciting stars. However, their inability to convert multiple scoring chances cost them dearly.
Nigeria started the match on the front foot, pressing Zimbabwe high up the pitch and creating multiple goal-scoring opportunities.
Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, and Alex Iwobi all had chances to put the hosts ahead in the first half, but their finishing let them down.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, remained compact and disciplined, absorbing Nigeria’s pressure while looking to hit on the counter.
The first half ended in a goalless stalemate, with the visitors having 70% possession at one point but failing to create any real threats on goal.
Osimhen’s Goal Sparks Hope, But Late Drama Unfolds
Nigeria finally broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute when Osimhen rose highest to meet a cross from Ola Aina and headed the ball past Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper, Washington Arubi.
The stadium erupted as the Napoli striker continued his rich vein of form for the national team.
However, the celebrations were short-lived. Instead of pushing for a second goal to kill off the game, Nigeria retreated, allowing Zimbabwe to grow in confidence.
The visitors nearly found an equalizer in the 76th minute when Khama Billiat’s shot bounced off the crossbar and appeared to cross the goal line, but the referee waved play on. It was a let-off for Nigeria, but the warning signs were clear.
With just three minutes left on the clock, Zimbabwe’s persistence paid off. A well-delivered cross from the left found Tawanda Chirewa, who skillfully dribbled past a defender before unleashing a powerful left-footed strike past Nigeria’s goalkeeper. The home crowd was left in shock as Zimbabwe dramatically leveled the game.
Osimhen’s Injury Adds to Nigeria’s Woes
Adding to Nigeria’s misery was the substitution of their talismanic striker Victor Osimhen in the 87th minute due to physical discomfort.
The Super Eagles’ attacking threat significantly diminished after his departure, and concerns now grow over the extent of his injury.
The Napoli forward has been instrumental for both club and country, and his absence could be a major blow to Nigeria’s upcoming qualifiers.
What This Means for Nigeria’s World Cup Qualification Hopes
The result leaves Nigeria with only a single point from a match they were widely expected to win. With tougher fixtures ahead, including games against stronger African opponents, the draw feels more like a loss.
The Super Eagles must now regroup and find solutions to their attacking inefficiencies, as dropping more points could prove disastrous in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The draw also raises questions about the tactical approach of Nigeria’s coaching staff. Despite dominating possession, their inability to close out games and manage leads has become a worrying trend.
Fans have voiced their frustrations, calling for better team selections and strategic improvements to avoid similar disappointments in the future.
What’s Next for the Super Eagles?
Nigeria will need to quickly put this result behind them and focus on their next qualifiers. The pressure is now on both the players and the coaching staff to deliver convincing performances in the upcoming matches.
With Osimhen’s fitness in doubt, the team may need to rely on other attacking options such as Victor Boniface and Tolu Arokodare.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will take immense confidence from this result. Their resilience and fighting spirit earned them a valuable point away from home, keeping their own qualification hopes alive.
For Nigeria, this draw is a reality check. They must find a way to be more clinical in front of goal and defensively solid when protecting a lead.
With the race for World Cup qualification heating up, every point matters, and this missed opportunity against Zimbabwe could have major consequences in the long run.
