Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup took a hit after a last-minute goal from Zimbabwe forced a 1-1 draw in a qualifying match played in Nigeria.
The Super Eagles took the lead in the 74th minute when Victor Osimhen found the back of the net, giving the home crowd hope of securing a crucial victory.
However, Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa struck in the 90th minute, denying Nigeria all three points and leaving the team’s qualification campaign in jeopardy.
With this result, Nigeria’s path to the World Cup remains uncertain, as they continue to drop crucial points in the qualifiers.
The Super Eagles now face mounting pressure to improve their performances, especially with strong competition in their group.
The 2026 tournament, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is slipping further from their grasp unless urgent changes are made.
Disappointed fans and analysts have criticized the team’s inability to maintain their lead, calling for strategic improvements ahead of their next fixtures.
As the qualification race intensifies, Nigeria must rediscover their winning form to avoid missing out on football’s biggest stage.