Nigeria’s World Cup dreams were dealt a blow by a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe, despite Victor Osimhen scoring his 26th goal. The draw leaves Nigeria in fourth place with just seven points, creating challenges for their qualification efforts as they trail behind South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin.
Nigeria’s aspirations for qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup faced a setback following a disappointing 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom. The Super Eagles had previously revitalized their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Rwanda but struggled against Zimbabwe, failing to convert their dominance into goals despite several opportunities.
The first breakthrough occurred in the 73rd minute when Moses Simon delivered a precise ball to Tolu Arokodare, who set up Ola Aina. Aina then executed a perfect cross that allowed Victor Osimhen to score with a header, marking his 26th goal for the national team and surpassing Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s qualifying record.
In a dramatic twist, the away team stunned the home supporters by equalizing in the 90th minute. Tawanda Chirewa capitalized on a defensive error to sprint unopposed and net the ball past Stanley Nwabali. This result places Nigeria in a precarious fourth position with seven points, trailing South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin, who each have eight points.
Currently, Nigeria sits six points behind South Africa, who lead with 13 points after a 2-0 victory against Benin. With four matches remaining in the qualification process, only one team from each of the nine groups will secure an automatic spot. Additionally, the top four losing teams will enter a playoff for a chance at an inter-continental berth.
In summary, the Super Eagles’ draw against Zimbabwe further complicates their World Cup qualification campaign. With Victor Osimhen’s achievement overshadowed by the late equalizer, Nigeria must enhance their performance moving forward to overcome the current deficit and stay competitive in the qualification race.
Original Source: dailytrust.com
