Chijioke Gabriel
Nigeria’s chances of advancing to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico became slimmer on Tuesday night after the Super Eagles suffered a heartbreaking 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in Uyo.
After a lacklustre first half, Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock for Nigeria in the 74th minute, but Eric Chelle’s men could not hold on to their lead as the visitors found the back of Nigeria’s net in stoppage time.
Coach Eric Chelle named an unchanged starting lineup from last Friday’s 2-0 win against Rwanda, but the team appeared uninspired and lacked urgency in front of a packed Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
The second half, however, began with some urgency, with the first real threat coming from Ademola Lookman, who could only find the side netting from his trademark shooting position inside the box.
Genk forward Tolu Arokodare, who joined the game in the second half, added bite to Nigeria’s attack with a headed chance a few minutes after coming on for Samuel Chukwueze.
Galatasaray striker and hero against Rwanda, Osimhen, then sent the arena into a frenzy in the 74th minute, heading home a pinpoint cross from Ola Aina.
With 16 minutes left on the clock, apprehension still lingered in the arena as Zimbabwe almost responded, but the Eagles’ blushes were saved by the crossbar after an onrushing Stanley Nwabali blocked an initial effort into the path of another Warriors attacker.
However, Nigeria could not escape Zimbabwe’s threat in the closing stages, as Tawanda Chirewa sliced through the Super Eagles’ defence before slotting past Nwabali.
It was Nigeria’s fourth draw in six matches in the series, leaving them with one win and one defeat.
The result dents Nigeria’s resurgence in the group, as they sit fourth with seven points—six points behind leaders South Africa, who occupy the automatic qualifying spot after securing a 2-0 win against Benin Republic in Abidjan.
Rwanda and Benin Republic are second and third with eight points each, with four matches remaining in the series.
