KEY POINTS
- Tawanda Chirewa scores a late equalizer for Zimbabwe.
- Victor Osimhen’s header puts Nigeria ahead in the second half.
- Nigeria stays in fourth place, while Zimbabwe is still last.
In a 2026 World Cup qualifying match at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Monday night, Zimbabwe’s senior men’s team fought to a 1-1 draw with Nigeria, although Tawanda Chirewa saved a point for Zimbabwe.
Fast-paced first half sees both teams test keepers.
When Victor Osimhen put the Super Eagles ahead in the 74th minute, it appeared as though they would win back-to-back games. But Chirewa’s goal in the ninetieth minute gave the Warriors a piece of the action. Zimbabwe is remained at the bottom of the group with four points, while Nigeria is still in fourth place with seven points, one point behind Rwanda in second place.
Following a 2-0 victory over Rwanda last Friday, Nigeria sought to continue on their strong start under coach Eric Chelle. After a 2-2 tie with Benin the day before, Michael Nees’ team was still looking for its first group victory.
Nigeria squanders chances, but Zimbabwe capitalizes late.
According to News day, the game started off quickly as Moses Simon got past his defender and went into the box. In the third minute, he put Zimbabwean goalkeeper Washington Arubi to the test with a powerful strike.
Approximately in the eighth minute, Osimhen had two consecutive shots at goal. Arubi pushed his subsequent attempt off the line after his shot was deflected for a corner. Arubi saved a shot from Bright Osayi-Samuel in the tenth minute to keep his team in the game once more. In the 14th minute, Walter Musona sprinted past Calvin Bassey and William Troost-Ekong to generate the visitors’ first chance, but his shot missed the mark.
With a strong chance from Alex Iwobi in the 51st minute, Nigeria got off to a strong start in the second half. He attempted to meet Lookman’s cross but failed. Lookman evaded a few of defenders and shot just beyond the post in the 62nd minute, missing another chance. In the 65th minute, Tolu Arokodare’s header from Iwobi’s cross then forced Arubi into a superb save.
In the 74th minute, Nigeria eventually scored the goal they had been threatening. Osimhen headed home Ola Aina’s cross after Arokodare held up the ball and then laid it off for him.
When Wilfred Ndidi was sent through on goal with six minutes remaining, he wasted a fantastic opportunity to make it 2-0. His shot, though, went wide and high.
When Chirewa took advantage of a defensive blunder to score the equalizer in the last minute, the Warriors made Nigeria pay.
