Underwhelming Super Eagles in danger of another World Cup miss

Nigeria drew 1-1 with Zimbabwe in Uyo, jeopardizing their World Cup hopes as Osimhen's goal was canceled out by Chirewa's late equalizer.

Victor Osimhen celebrates with Ademola Lookman in Nigeria's 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Tuesday. (Photo credit: GOAL)

The Super Eagles of Nigeria left the entire nation with a bitter pill to swallow at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday in a World Cup qualifier clash against Zimbabwe.

Having performed brilliantly to beat the Amavubi of Rwanda away at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali last weekend, the coach Eric Chelle-led Nigerian side was expected to do justice to the fixture against the Zimbabweans, but the Super Eagles did the opposite.

With South Africa beating the Benin Republic away from home, the Super Eagles were condemned to win to remain in contention for qualification to the 2026 World Cup, having drawn three and lost one of their previous five games in the series.

Coach Chelle named the same eleven that delivered the goods in Kigali, hoping to watch them repeat last weekend's feat. However, a combination of poor finishing and spirited defending by the Zimbabweans thwarted his side's efforts.

Victor Osimhen had two efforts saved by the goalkeeper before Ademola Lookman fired wide when it looked easier to score from a Moses Simon cutback. Zimbabwe threatened on the break, but they couldn't get past the Nigerian defense, too.

As the first half wore on, fans at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium got agitated with chances passing by and the Super Eagles fluffing their lines, but on the balance of play, the Nigerian side deserved a lead, which they eventually got later in the game.

Chelle rang changes; Tolu Arokodare replaced the highly ineffective Samuel Chukwueze, and the bite upfront intensified for the home side, eventually leading to the goal.

A neat exchange between Wilfred Ndidi and Ola Aina got the latter to the byline, where his pinpoint cross landed on the head of Osimhen, who made no mistake from three yards out.

From there, you would expect the Super Eagles to wrap things up, but the opposite happened. A mix-up in the Nigerian defense allowed Tawanda Chirewa to dance past William Troost-Ekong and then slot beyond Stanley Nwabali in the Nigerian goal.

The draw has left Nigeria in a precarious situation and in danger of missing out on consecutive World Cups since making their debut in 1994.