The stage is set for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe on Tuesday evening.
The World Cup qualifier will take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo by 5 pm, Nigerian time.
The Super Eagles head to the game following a 2-0 win against the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali last in Friday.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, played a 2-2 draw with Benin Republic last Thursday.
Both Nigeria and Zimbabwe have met eight times in the past.
The Super Eagles have won four times, drawn three, and lost once against the Warriors.
DAILY POST reports that one of the most memorable encounters between both sides came in 2005 when Nigeria thrashed Zimbabwe 5-1 in a World Cup qualifier.
Nigeria is in mixed form in the World Cup qualifying campaign so far.
They have won just one game out of five games in the Group C of the World Cup qualifiers.
The three-time African champions are in 4th position with six points from five matches.
Nigeria have drawn three, won one and lost one of their five matches played ahead of the Zimbabwe clash.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, occupy the bottom position (6th-placed) in Group C.
The Warriors are yet to register a win in their five matches played so far in the campaign.
They have three points after losing two matches and drawing three matches.
DAILY POST reports that Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle will hope to record a back-to-back wins, having won his first game incharge of the national team last week against Rwanda.
The 47-year-old Malian said it is important for the Super Eagles to be ready for the encounter against the visitors.
“There is a second game on March 25th, so we need to be ready for this game,” Chelle said.
On his part, head coach of the Warriors of Zimbabwe, Michael Nees will hope to plot the Super Eagles downfall in Uyo and get his team’s first win in the World Cup qualifiers.
According to the German, his players must give total concentration from the beginning to the end of the match against the Super Eagles.
“Nigeria is at absolute top level. We cannot allow a slow start to the game to happen,” Nees said.
“We must be there from the beginning in our game. Our concentration must be there because the goals [against Benin on Thursday], when you look at it, were a little gifted from us.”
Speaking with DAILY POST ahead of the Tuesday encounter, former TTC Football Academy coach, Emmanuel Brown gave his opinion on the clash between Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
Brown backed Chelle’s side to make use of the home advantage of playing in one of their favourites pitch in Nigeria – the Godswill Akpabio Stadium – and score more goals against the visitors.
“This is a must win game for Nigeria to take their tally to 9 points in Group C.
“Hopefully South Africa will not get a good result against Benin and Nigeria will be just one short of South Africa,” Brown told DAILY POST.
“The Super Eagles are coming off from a 2 – 0 win against Rwanda, and it seems the new coach, Chelle, is playing a more attacking formation, which is good because Nigeria cannot afford to lose any game in the remaining matches in the qualifiers.
“Nigeria has one of the best attackers in Africa at the moment and after a bad start to the World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria is now rejuvenated to go all the way and secure the ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
“I believe Zimbabwe is the weakest team in the group because they have not won any game so far.
“This should be a huge advantage for the Super Eagles and they are playing at home in one of their favourites pitches, which is the Godswill Akpabio stadium.
“Hopefully, Nigeria can take that advantage and score more goals against the Warriors of Zimbabwe.
“I see Chelle’s men maintaining another clean sheet and taking all three points. 3-0 in favour of the Eagles,” he further stated.
Similarly, Femi Fabunmi, the Editor of EkoHotBlog, told DAILY POST that Zimbabwe are the ‘whooping boys’ in Group C.
He, however, tipped Chelle’s men to grab all three points against the visitors in Uyo.
“The Super Eagles of Nigeria have rekindled our hopes of qualifying for the world Cup with that 2-0 away victory to Rwanda,” Fabunmi told DAILY POST.
“Since Zimbabwe are the whooping boys of the group, then we should ordinarily defeat them in Uyo and further bolster our hope in making it to America 2026
“All eyes on Benin vs South Africa, a draw in that match will also be in our favour.
“In all, the Super Eagles still stand a chance of grabbing a ticket to the next World Cup either by finishing top of group C or the last option of the second best team overall but that would mean going through the play off.
“My prediction is Nigeria 4, Zimbabwe 0.”
Also speaking with DAILY POST about the game, Audu Ojo, the head coach of Dawaki Rangers, backed the three-time African champions to beat Zimbabwe 2-0.
“The match is going to be tough. Football in Africa is changing rapidly and there are no more small teams in football.
“On a good day a small team can surprise a big team. It’s difficult to predict the outcome of the match between Nigeria and Zimbabwe, but I just have the feelings that Nigeria will carry the day. 2-0 for the Super Eagles,” he predicted.
