Zimbabwe’s coach Michael Nees aims for an upset against Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, despite Nigeria’s historical dominance. Both teams seek redemption after poor starts, with Nigeria at fifth and Zimbabwe at the bottom of Group C. Nees expresses confidence in a competitive matchup, emphasizing Nigeria’s vulnerabilities.
Zimbabwe’s head coach, Michael Nees, is determined to secure an unexpected victory against Nigeria in their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying match scheduled for March 25, 2025, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. The Nigerian team, known as the Super Eagles, comes into this matchup as strong favorites, having won three Africa Cup of Nations titles. Nonetheless, Nees asserts that Nigeria exhibits vulnerabilities that the Warriors could exploit to produce a surprising outcome.
Nees noted the similarities in pressures faced by both teams, stating, “Like us, Nigeria have their back against the wall. They are like wounded lions, eager to turn the page after a poor start to the qualifiers. It will be an exciting game, and Nigeria are beatable in Uyo,” according to Bulawayo24. As the teams compete, Nigeria occupies the fifth position in Group C with merely three points from four matches, while Zimbabwe remains at the bottom with two points. Both are fiercely pursuing redemption to sustain their World Cup aspirations.
Historically, Nigeria holds an impressive record against Zimbabwe, having not lost in their last seven encounters, securing four victories and three draws. The only triumph for Zimbabwe over Nigeria came during a friendly match in 1981, when they won 2-0. Despite this daunting history, Coach Nees remains hopeful that the Zimbabwe Warriors can leave a mark against one of Africa’s premier football teams, preparing them for what promises to be a tightly contested match.
In conclusion, Michael Nees is instilling hope in the Zimbabwe Warriors as they gear up for a challenging World Cup qualifying match against Nigeria. While the Super Eagles have a dominant history against Zimbabwe, both teams are eager to reclaim their standing in the qualifiers. With Nees’ belief in his team’s potential, the upcoming game could present an opportunity for a remarkable upset.
Original Source: africanfootball.com
