Nigeria’s World Cup Aspirations Diminish After 1-1 Draw Against Zimbabwe
Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes diminished after a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe. Victor Osimhen scored in the 73rd minute, marking his 26th goal for Nigeria. However, Tawanda Chirewa equalized late in the match. Nigeria currently occupies fourth place in its group, trailing behind South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin with just four matches remaining.
Nigeria’s aspirations for qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered a setback following a disappointing 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom. Despite initially reigniting their campaign with a previous victory over Rwanda, the Super Eagles encountered difficulties in converting their superior possession into goals during the match against Zimbabwe.
The breakthrough occurred in the 73rd minute when Moses Simon delivered a well-placed ball to Tolu Arokodare. Arokodare assisted Ola Aina, who then provided a precise cross to Victor Osimhen, resulting in a header that found the net, marking Osimhen’s 26th goal for Nigeria. This goal places him above Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s previous record of six in World Cup qualifying matches, although Obafemi Martins remains the leader with ten goals.
Unfortunately for Nigeria, the match took a dramatic turn in the 90th minute, when Tawanda Chirewa took advantage of slipshod defending. He maneuvered through the defense without opposition and scored past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, leaving the home crowd in dismay. Currently, Nigeria finds itself in fourth place in their qualifying group with seven points, falling behind South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin, each tallying eight points. Due to South Africa’s recent triumph over Benin, they now maintain a commanding lead with 13 points, leaving Nigeria at a six-point deficit with only four matches remaining.
The Super Eagles’ recent draw with Zimbabwe highlights the ongoing challenges they face in securing a spot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite Victor Osimhen’s remarkable milestone of surpassing Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s World Cup qualifying goals record, the team must address its defensive vulnerabilities and improve its finishing to advance in the qualifying rounds. As the competition against South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin intensifies, every upcoming match is crucial for Nigeria’s World Cup aspirations.
Original Source: dailytrust.com
