Nigeria’s shot at the 2026 World Cup took a hit on Tuesday when they ended up with a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in Uyo, leaving fans gutted. Victor Osimhen lit up the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in the 74th minute, nodding in a sweet cross from Ola Aina to break a dull first half. But joy turned sour in stoppage time when Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa slipped through and fired past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, stealing a point right at the end.
Coach Eric Chelle stuck with the same lineup that beat Rwanda 2-0 last Friday, but the Super Eagles looked flat, no spark, no speed, even with a full house cheering. Things picked up after the break as Ademola Lookman almost scored but hit the side net, and sub Tolu Arokodare nearly headed one in. Osimhen’s goal had everyone jumping, but Zimbabwe wouldn’t quit; they hit the bar once before Chirewa’s late dagger crushed Nigeria’s hopes.
This draw’s a mess for Nigeria, our fourth tie in six games, with just one win and one loss. We’re stuck in fourth place with seven points, miles behind South Africa’s 13 after they smashed Benin Republic 2-0. Rwanda and Benin sit pretty with eight points each, and with four matches left, the Super Eagles need a miracle to catch up. Fans are asking: can we still make it to the USA, Canada, and Mexico?