Nigeria’s World Cup Hopes Dented After Draw with Zimbabwe
Nigeria‘s hopes for the 2026 World Cup took a serious blow after they managed only a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe on March 25, 2025. This result puts the Super Eagles in a tough spot in their qualifying group, raising worries about their chances of making it to the expanded tournament.
Match Overview
In the 90th minute of the match between Nigeria and Zimbabwe on March 25, 2025, Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa secured the equalizer by slipping past Nigerian defenders and toe-poking the ball under goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. This late goal resulted from a defensive lapse, allowing Chirewa to exploit space and score, ultimately leading to a 1-1 draw.
The match at the Abuja National Stadium was filled with tension. Nigeria kicked off with energy, and star forward Victor Osimhen put the home team ahead early on. But Zimbabwe showed their grit and equalized in the second half with a well-executed set-piece. Despite Nigeria controlling possession and creating several scoring opportunities, they couldn’t penetrate Zimbabwe’s solid defense, leading to a frustrating draw.
Implications for World Cup Qualification
This draw adds to Nigeria’s woes in the qualification race. Before this match, the Super Eagles had only managed one win—a 2-0 triumph over Rwanda—after a string of draws and a loss to Benin. Right now, Nigeria is sitting fourth in Group C, four points behind the leaders, South Africa. With only the group winners guaranteed a spot in the World Cup and the best runners-up heading to intercontinental playoffs, Nigeria’s road to qualification is looking increasingly tough.
Factors Contributing to Nigeria’s Struggles
Nigeria‘s performance in the qualifiers has been disappointing, and several factors are at play:
Coaching Instability: The departure of former coach Finidi George, following a string of unsatisfactory results, led to Augustine Eguavoen stepping in as interim coach, only to be replaced by Malian coach Eric Chelle. This constant change has disrupted team unity and strategy.
Player Discontent: There have been reports of tensions between key players like Victor Osimhen and the previous coaching staff, which has negatively affected their performances on the pitch.
Defensive Vulnerabilities: The team has faced challenges in defense, often conceding goals due to lapses in focus and organization.
Midfield Inconsistencies: The lack of a dedicated playmaker has stifled creativity, making it difficult for the team to transition smoothly from defense to attack.
Moving Forward
To reignite their World Cup aspirations, Nigeria needs to secure maximum points in their upcoming matches while also hoping for some favorable outcomes in other games. It’s essential to tackle internal issues, stabilize the coaching situation, and foster better team chemistry to move forward successfully.
