by Nigeria’s aspirations for the 2026 World Cup suffered a significant blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Zimbabwe in their recent qualifier match. Victor Osimhen put Nigeria ahead with a diving header in the 74th minute, but Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa equalized during stoppage time, dribbling through the defense to secure the draw.
This result leaves Nigeria trailing South Africa by six points in Group C, with four matches remaining. South Africa’s recent 2-0 victory over Benin has solidified their lead, despite potential disciplinary issues regarding the fielding of an ineligible player.
The draw against Zimbabwe, following a previous loss to Benin, places Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes in jeopardy. The team now faces critical upcoming matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, where securing victories is imperative to revive their chances.
Star striker Victor Osimhen, who has been in prolific form for Galatasaray, is seen as pivotal to Nigeria’s efforts to overcome these setbacks and lead the team to qualification. His leadership and goal-scoring abilities will be crucial as the Super Eagles navigate the remaining fixtures in their quest for a World Cup berth.
