Super Eagles Coach Voices Frustration After Zimbabwe Draw

Super Eagles head coach, Èric Chelle, has expressed his disappointment after Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against the Warriors of Zimbabwe the their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Victor Osimhen put Nigeria ahead in the 73rd minute with a well-placed header from Ola Aina’s cross. However, a last-minute goal from Tawanda Chireda denied Nigeria the much needed victory, as the Warriors held the Super Eagles in their Group C FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter.

At the post match briefing at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, coach Chelle said he expected the players would take their chances in the first half and win the match. He said the team deserved to win because they played well in the first 45 minutes, only to concede the equalising goal in the last minutes of the encounter.

“I thought we will score goals in the first half and win the match. We made some mistakes and Zimbabwe equalised,” the Super Eagles coach said.

“We had a lot of chances to score goals but the chances were not utilised well,” Chelle said, assuring Nigerians that he will analyse the match and strategise for future games ahead.

• Read more: Zimbabwe Holds Nigeria In Akwa Ibom

On his part, the coach of Zimbabwe, Michael Nees, who was excited with the result, said his team came prepared, knowing the strength of the  Nigerian players.

“We played with Strategy to create chances and showed resilience in the match, this resulted in the last minute equaliser,” he said.

He, however, said that the group is unpredictable and anything could happen.