Zimbabwe head coach, Michael Nees believes his team can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite their poor run of form, Afrosport reports.
The Warriors are yet to record a win in Group C of the qualifiers and sit bottom with three points from five matches, seven points behind leaders South Africa.
Nees however thinks Zimbabwe can start their way to redemption by picking up all three points when they face the Super Eagles in Uyo on Tuesday evening.
“There’s always national pride when you play for the national team and you always have to give your best, there’s still 15 points to play for and until the games are over you are obliged to give everything,” he said.
“Even any team that is theoretically not in the race to qualify anymore they are also obliged to give their best because others are competing.
“We are obliged to give our best in every match and to be fair sports men and as long as we have a chance, we believe in our chance.”
Nees also spoke about Nigeria’s struggles in the qualifiers and understands how eager they are to turn the tide around.
“Nigeria, through the squad and the names, are just top-class,” the German added. “They messed it up at the beginning, I think it’s their third coach now in these qualifiers. They won against a difficult opponent in Rwanda.
“They want to turn this campaign around, so they’ll come with all power and confidence. It will be an exciting game. We will give everything as well.”
Plotting the downfall of the Super Eagles..
Michael Nees and his assistant, Takesure Chiragwi#bayawabaya🇿🇼 pic.twitter.com/LvFt6nl1nR
— Zimbabwe Football Association (@online_zifa) March 24, 2025
Zimbabwe and Nigeria played out a 1-1 draw in reverse fixture in Butare, Rwanda back in November 2023.
Both sides have met four times, with the Super Eagles winning thrice, including an 8-1 aggregate win during the 2006 World Cup Qualifiers.
