The Super Eagles suffered a setback in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after playing a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday evening, Afrosport reports.
The West African giants recorded a 2-0 win over Rwanda in their last Group C outing in Kigali and were in need of another three points.
Reigning African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman had a chance to open proceedings in the third minute, but his effort went wide.
Osimhen was also close to registering his name on the scoresheet in the eighth minute, but it was equally off target.
AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze attempted a shot from outside the box after being nicely set up by Moses Simon, but the former Villarreal winger fired it wide to keep the score goalless going into the halftime break.
Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi had the first opportunity in the second half, but he wasted the golden chance in the 51st minute from close range.
The floodgates finally opened in the 74th minute when Osimhen sent in a pinpoint header from an Ola Aina cross.
Zimbabwe were close to levelling matters two minutes later, but their chance bounced off the frame of the post.
The moment of the Warriors finally came in added time when Huddersfield midfielder Tawanda Chirewa put a low shot beyond Stanley Nwabali.
FT in Uyo pic.twitter.com/Gux8S6x8jf
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 25, 2025
The result was a further setback in the Super Eagles’ hopes of automatic qualification as they remain in second place and are now six points behind leaders South Africa, who defeated Benin 2-0 in Abidjan.
They are also a point behind Rwanda, who played a 1-1 with Lesotho in Kigali.
