Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying hopes dimmed after a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe. The Super Eagles dominated possession but struggled to convert chances into goals. Victor Osimhen scored, making history with his 26th national goal, yet a late equalizer from Zimbabwe left Nigeria fourth in their group, trailing critical competitors.
Nigeria’s aspirations for qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have faltered following a disappointing 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom. Although the Super Eagles had previously revitalized their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Rwanda, their performance against Zimbabwe was marked by a struggle to convert opportunities into goals, despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances.
The first breakthrough occurred in the 73rd minute when Moses Simon skillfully played a ball to Tolu Arokodare, who set up Ola Aina. The Nottingham Forest defender then made a precise cross that allowed Victor Osimhen to head the ball past the Zimbabwean goalkeeper, marking his 26th goal for Nigeria. This goal elevated Osimhen to seventh in World Cup qualifying goals, surpassing Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s record of six, with only Obafemi Martins’ tally of ten ahead of him.
In a dramatic turnaround, Zimbabwe equalized in the 90th minute when Tawanda Chirewa took advantage of a lapse in the Nigerian defense, running through unopposed to calmly finish past Stanley Nwabali. This result leaves Nigeria in fourth place in their qualifying group with seven points, behind South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin, who each have eight points. South Africa’s recent win over Benin further solidified their lead, pushing Nigeria six points adrift, with only four matches remaining in the qualification campaign.
With the qualification format dictating that only one team from each of the nine groups secures an automatic berth for the World Cup, Nigeria’s chances are diminishing. The four best runners-up will enter a playoff, which is a vital step towards achieving a berth in the inter-continental playoff.
In conclusion, Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe significantly hampers their prospects for qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite Victor Osimhen’s impressive scoring milestone, the team’s inability to secure a win highlights ongoing challenges. They currently sit fourth, trailing behind their competitors with limited opportunities remaining in the qualification phase, underscoring the need for a marked improvement in their upcoming matches.
Original Source: dailytrust.com
