Striker Victor Osimhen gave Nigeria the lead in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Warriors of Zimbabwe, but the visitors equalised through Tawanda Maswanhise as the match finished 1-1 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
PREVIEW
Nigeria are set for another battle in another crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Currently sitting fourth in Group C with six points, Nigeria faces a must-win scenario in all remaining fixtures to boost their chances of automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
The Super Eagles come into this match with renewed confidence under new head coach Eric Chelle, having secured their first victory of the qualifiers after a 2-0 win over Rwanda. This marks Chelle’s second official game in charge since assuming the role in January.
With just six points from five matches, Nigeria knows that anything short of a win could further jeopardise their qualification hopes.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe’s Warriors remain winless in the campaign, sitting at the bottom of Group C with just three points.
Despite their struggles, they showed resilience in their last game, fighting back from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Benin.
NIGERIA
Nigeria currently faces an uphill task of qualifying for the biggest showpiece on earth as they are four points behind leaders, South Africa, in their group with just five games left to play.
With Nigeria desperate to keep their World Cup dreams alive and Zimbabwe battling for pride and survival, fans can expect an intense encounter in Uyo.
ZIMBABWE
The Warriors of Zimbabwe are facing the Super Eagles with the mindset of creating their own history, as both teams clash in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Uyo on Tuesday
Zimbabwe are bottom of the qualifying group with just three points after five matches, but the team would be hoping to cause an upset to revive its hopes to World Cup qualification.
LINE-UPS
Forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman will spearhead Nigeria’s attack against Zimbabwe as head coach Eric Chelle retains the same starting XI that featured against Rwanda.
Stanley Nwabali remains in goal, with a defensive backline featuring captain William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, and Bright Osayi-Samuel.
KICK OFF!!!!!
We are underway at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo for this 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
4′ Musona sends a free-kick into the box and goalkeeper Nwabali commands his area but punching the ball away. The Nigeria goalkeeper crashes into Munetsi, but the offside flag was up.
6′ Osimhen goes for an acrobatic overhead kick, but the ball goes over the bar. A first sighting of goal for the Nigerian striker.
8′ Zimbabwe pushes forward and K. Musona finds a bit of space, before slicing an effort well wide. At the other end, Arubi makes a double save in quick succession to deny Osimhen.
9′ Arubi is having a brilliant game. The goalkeeper denies Osimhen again before racing off his line to,bravely dive at the feet of Osayi.
The Zimbabwe keeper appears to done himself some damage.
11′ After some treatment, Arubi is fine to continue.
14′ Almost a breakthrough for Zimbabwe!! Musona latches onto a loose ball and does well to get the better of Aina, before shooting into the side-netting. An early warning for the home side.
17′ Lookman tries his luck at goal and he’s not far away from hitting the target with a powerful volley as Arubi watches the ball fly over the bar.
Nigeria threaten again through Simon but he shoots into the side-netting, much to the annoyance of Osimhen, who wanted the ball rolled across the face of goal.
21′ Zimbabwe attempt to take a free-kick quickly but the referee calls them back. Zemura’s delivery is a low one which is comfortably dealt with.
27 ‘ Osayi goes down just outside the area, it looked like a foul but the referee waves play on. Zimbabwe are able to move up the pitch, with Lunga in no rush to take a throw-in.
31′ We have just passed the half hour mark and it remains goalless at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Chukwueze almost changes that as he sweeps the ball over the bar after being picked out in the area.
33′ Nice turn from Simon in the middle, he tries the more difficult pass to Osimhen over the top instead of releasing Aina down the left and the attack breaks down.
40′ WHAT A BLOCK!!! Lookman looks poised to break the deadlock but his effort is superbly blocked by the onrushing Garananga.
41′ PENALTY???!!!!
Osimhen goes down in the area and appeals for a penalty. However, nothing is given!!!
43′ Nigeria have stepped things up in the last minute or so as they seek an opener before the interval.
45′ Iwobi fires a shot over the bar. Two minutes of stoppage time to play.
45 +2′ HALFTIME
The referee blows the halftime whistle as it remains goalless in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
Both sides would be seeking to come out firing in the second half as another thrilling match day of FIFA World Cup qualifiers unfolds.
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SECOND HALF!!
The second half is now underway as the match between Nigeria and Zimbabwe remains 0-0, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
47′ Strong start to the second half by Nigeria, Simon – in particular – has been bright down the left.
49′ Great play from Osayi down the right as he digs out a cross which is just too high for Osimhen who had an open net right in front of him. Zimbabwe will have to weather the storm.
54′ Simon has seen a lot of the ball early in the second half but another Nigeria attack breaks down as Aina sends the ball out of play as he looks for Osimhen at the back post.
It’s turning out to be a frustrating outing for Osimhen as he can’t get on the end of Simon’s teasing cross.
58′ Iwobi picks out Lookman in the penalty area, the Nigeria forward tried to turn but he’s crowded out.
First Nigeria substitute as Chukwueze is replaced by Tolu Arokodare.
63′ Zimbabwe make their first change of the game as Musona is replaced by Dzvukamanja.
64′ News coming through from goals elsewhere in Group C. South Africa lead against Benin and Rwanda have broken the deadlock against Lesoto.
Just as that happens, Arokodare has a header brilliantly tipped over the bar by Arubi.
68′ Arokodare meets another great cross into the box but he heads the ball over the bar.
73′ GOALLLLLLLLLL!!! VICTOR OSIMHEN!!!!
Deadlock broken and it’s that man again! Victor Osimhen stoops to head home Ola Aina’s cross and Arubi is finally beaten.
76′ Extraordinary scenes!!! Zimbabwe, somehow, aren’t back on level terms immediately. Ball is played across the face of goal, Nwabali rushes off his line and doesn’t claim it and Musona sees his effort hit the underside of the bar.
78′ Nigeria change sees Iwobi replaced by Raphael Onyedika
83′ Big chance for Nigeria to wrap this game up as Simon slips in Ndidi who snatches at the ball and spoons the ball well wide.
Surely the Leicester man had to use his left foot, instead he went with his right and the effort was rather poor.
86′ Concern for Nigeria as Osimhen is down. Looks like cramp but Bonafice is being readied. Yes, that is the substitution as the goalscorer goes off.
90′ GOALLLLL!!! Zimbabwe on the scoresheet!!!
Heartbreak for Nigeria right at the end as Tawanda Chirewa tip-toes his way into the box and toe pokes the ball under Nwabali for the equaliser.
90+4″ Into the last few seconds, Aina winds up a long throw which causes pinball in the area. Bassey does well to win a corner. This is it for Nigeria!
The referee blows the final whistle.
FULL TIME: NIGERIA 1-1 ZIMBABWE
The Super Eagles of Nigeria found things a bit more difficult this afternoon as Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi was in fine form as the match finished 1-1 in their FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Nigeria are fourth in Group C with seven (7 ) points from 6 games, while Zimbabwe are sixth with four (4) points.
South Africa tops Group C with 13 points from 6 games with Rwanda in second place with eight (8) points. Benin are in third place also on eight points.
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