Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup were dealt another blow with a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe on Sunday.
Both teams were looking to bounce back from previous draws in their second qualifying match.
The game took place at Stade Huye, with both teams eager to earn three points and stay competitive in Group C, especially after South Africa’s win over Benin the day before.
Zimbabwe got off to a good start, scoring a goal in the 26th minute thanks to Walter Musona. They maintained this lead until halftime.
However, in the 67th minute, the Super Eagles managed to equalize with a left-footed shot from Kelechi Iheanacho.
Iheanacho’s goal saved the Super Eagles from embarrassment and earned him the Man of the Match award. In the Top Players & Ratings section, Iheanacho received a rating of 85.0 for his performance in the match, where he came on as a substitute.
Zimbabwe’s head coach, Baltemar Brito, emerged as the victor of the day due to his strategic tactics and game approach, effectively outplaying Nigeria and securing a draw.
Despite being a strong team in Africa, Nigeria has been unsuccessful in winning their first two matches in the qualifiers, resulting in them currently being considered the losers of today.
They are currently in second place in Group C, trailing behind Bafana Bafana by just one point. The two top teams will face each other on June 3 in Nigeria, with the Super Eagles aiming to surpass the South Africans on their home ground.
