The Super Eagles of Nigeria once again dropped points in their Group C 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after they forced the Warriors of Zimbabwe to a 1-1 draw in Rwanda on Sunday and made their journey more difficult in the series.
Playing at the Huye Stadium in Rwanda, the Nigerian side seems to be the better side but it was the Warriors that netted the opening goal in the 26th minute through Musona’s well-taken freekick.
Despite dominating the game, the Super Eagles have no shot on target throughout the entire first stanza of the game.
At halftime, Peseiro made three changes, introducing Bright Osayi-Samuel, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Victor Boniface in place of Ola Aina, Frank Onyeka, and Nathan Tella.
This was in a bid to add some bite to the team. But that decision did not yield fruits early enough, as the Super Eagles failed to break down the dogged Zimbabwean defense.
The three-time African champions up their game in the second half and they were able to peg back the Zimbabweans.
Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho leveled up the game for Nigeria in the 67th minute after good footwork from Moses Simon.
Zimbabwe employed a low block, and Nigeria failed to penetrate despite their prowess in attack. In the closing embers of the game, Zimbabwe had the better chances to score, but the Super Eagles just managed to hang on.
Both sides eventually settled for a 1-1 draw, and that puts them on two points after their first two games. The result puts them in a bad position, as a win for South Africa would ensure a two-point gap.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resume in June 2024 with Nigeria hosting South Africa, current leaders of Group C, on the 2nd of June before travelling to an away game against Benin Republic.
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