Nigeria’s hopes of automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took another blow after a frustrating 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday night.
Victor Osimhen’s 74th-minute header, expertly guided home from an Ola Aina cross, had seemed enough to seal a much-needed win for the Super Eagles. But with seconds ticking away, a defensive lapse allowed Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa to slot home a heartbreaking 90th-minute equalizer, leaving the Nigerian bench and home fans stunned.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle struggled to hide his disappointment after the match, lamenting the missed chances that allowed Zimbabwe to escape with a point.
“We Could Have Scored 10 Goals” – Chelle
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Chelle reflected on Nigeria’s wastefulness in front of goal, especially in the first half.
“What can I say about the first half? Normally, we could have scored ten goals,” Chelle said. “We created chances, but poor finishing and some last-technical mistakes let us down. Zimbabwe came here to defend, to stop the game.”
Fatigue Played a Role in Nigeria’s Late Collapse
Chelle also hinted that fatigue may have played a part in Nigeria’s failure to hold onto their lead. After an energetic first half in which the Super Eagles dominated, their intensity dropped in the closing stages, allowing Zimbabwe to find space and exploit defensive gaps.
“In the last 10 minutes, it was hard for us because we started well in the first half with a lot of intensity, so maybe the players were a little tired,” Chelle explained.
Group C Standings: Nigeria’s Qualification Hopes Hang in the Balance
The draw leaves Nigeria fourth in Group C with seven points, six points adrift of leaders South Africa, who defeated Benin 2-0 to extend their lead at the top.
With just four games remaining, automatic qualification is now a steep challenge for the Super Eagles. However, there’s still a lifeline: the second-best-placed teams across all qualifying groups will have a shot at reaching the World Cup through intercontinental playoffs.
What’s Next for Nigeria?
To keep their slim hopes alive, the Super Eagles must win their remaining games and hope for favorable results in other matches. Anything less could see Nigeria miss out on consecutive World Cups for the first time since 1994.
For Eric Chelle and his team, the task is clear: regroup, refocus, and turn missed opportunities into victories before time runs out.
