The stage is set for another crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
The Super Eagles come into this match with renewed confidence under new head coach Eric Chelle, having secured their first victory of the qualifiers with a 2-0 win over Rwanda.
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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.
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Despite their struggles, they showed resilience in their last game, fighting back from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Benin.
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.
Stay with PREMIUM TIMES for LIVE UPDATES from the Nest of Champions in Uyo.
Kickoff is at 5 pm.
Eric Chelle has stuck with the same starting lineup for the game against Zimbabwe
Super Eagles XI vs Rwanda Stanley Nwabali; Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel; Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon; Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen
The teams are on the pitch and pre match formalities completed
Zimbabwe with the kickoff in Uyo
Great start by the Super Eagles with the first shot on target by Simon Moses
Samuel Chukwueze commits a foul and hands Zimbabwe a free kick
The free kick from Zimbabwe wasn’t bad but Stanley Nwabali rushes out for a save
Osimhen forces a safe from the Zimbabwe goalkeeper as Nigeria get a corner kick
Another save by the Zimbabwe goalkeeper off a header from Osimhen
Fiery start by the Super Eagles but the Zimbabwe goalkeeper has been outstanding so far denying the host and early goal in this encounter
Free kick for Zimbabwe in a promising position
A long range goes way off the target
Eric Chelle squatting as he patiently awaits the first goal for the Super Eagles
Zimbabwe with a fast break at the other end but the effort hits the side net…. That’s a warning sign for the Super Eagles
Great shot from Ademola Lookman but it’s over the bar.
The Super Eagles with a great move but the referee spotted an infringement at the edge of the Zimbabwe box and blows for a free kick for the visitors
Zimbabwe with another ambitious move but denied by Nwabali who makes a timely off his line
Free kick for Zimbabwe
Midway through the first half
Nigeria 0-0 Zimbabwe
Iwobi tries a split pass to Osimhen but the Galatasaray striker was marginally offside
The other Group C matches between Rwanda and Lesotho as well as Benin Republic and South Africa are also goalless at the moment
Chukwueze hoping for a corner kick but the referee rules for a Zimbabwe goal kick
Big chance for Nigeria… Moses Simon sets Chukwueze up but the AC Milan hits the ball over the bar..
Still Nigeria 0-0 Zimbabwe
The final balls by the Super Eagles haven’t been the best and the Zimbabwe goalkeeper has also been up and doing so far in his encounter
Simon Moses’ appeal for a free kick has been waved off by the referee
Alex Iwobi with an effort yards away from the Zimbabwe box is off the target
Two minutes added time as the first half gradually winds down
The Super Eagles were two goals up at this point in their game against Rwanda but they are still struggling to break the deadlock against Zimbabwe
Half Time: Nigeria 0-0 Zimbabwe
Couple of chances in the first 45 minutes but no goal for either side.
Osimhen, Lookman, Chukwueze, Simon Moses, Iwobi and even Bright Osayi-Samuel all had decent chances but no goal for the Super Eagles yet. Hopefully the second half will produce the much needed goals
Second half back underway
Another chance missed by Nigeria
Peter Obi is among the fans at the Uyo Stadium to watch the Super Eagles
The Super Eagles need to try something new, the coach may need to look to the bench to inject new players
Moses Simon is trying a pass to Osimhen, but the effort frustrated again
Zimbabwe are yet to win any game in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers but they have drawn three games… They are pushing for another draw in Uyo if not a first win in the group
Rwanda have also scored against Lesotho but still goalless in Uyo on the encounter between Nigeria and Zimbabwe
Goal! Osimhen breaks the deadlock
Arokodare shields the ball, gets it across to Ola Aina who crosses the ball and Osimhen heads in for Super Eagles
Chance! Zimbabwe come close to an equaliser but denied by the crossbar
Iwobi is taken off for Raphael Onyedika
We are in the final 10 minutes…
Nigeria 1-0 Zimbabwe
Nice through ball to Ndidi but the midfielder fires off target from close range
Zimbabwe sneak in with another shot on target but Nwabali well positioned for a another save
Zimbabwe have a free kick… But they have to wait as Osimhen appears injured and presently being attended to by medics
Osimhen has been taken off as Victor Boniface takes his place
Heartbreak for Nigeria as Zimbabwe get an equaliser
FT: Nigeria 1-1 Zimbabwe
The Super Eagles’ chance of going to the World Cup is fading off with another home draw against Warriors of Zimbabwe
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