Nigeria still have lots of work to do in Group C after they conceded a late goal to draw 1-1 with Zimbabwe in a 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Tuesday.
A point gained in Uyo!
— Zimbabwe Football Association (@online_zifa) March 25, 2025
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Nigeria 1-1 Zimbabwe. pic.twitter.com/skb03d4uxO
Eric Chelle's side were on course to claim back-to-back wins when Victor Osimhen headed them in front on 74 minutes, but substitute Tawanda Chirewa struck in the 90th minute to earn the Warriors a share of the spoils.
The Super Eagles remain unmoved in fourth place on seven points, one behind Rwanda (second), with Zimbabwe still rooted to the foot of the group on four points.
Zimbabwe equalise to snatch a draw against the Super Eagles ⚽👇#SSDiski | #TotalEnergiesWCQ2026 pic.twitter.com/z7Y8SMFISG
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) March 25, 2025
Nigeria looked to build on their positive start under Chelle after beating Rwanda 2-0 on 21 March, while Michael Nees's side were still searching for their first win in the group, having played out to a 2-2 draw with Benin on 20 March.
The game got off to a fast start as Moses Simon beat his man and advanced into the box before testing Washington Arubi with a driven effort on three minutes.
Victor Osimhen then had two sniffs at goal in quick succession around the eight-minute minute, with the striker seeing his volley turned away for a corner and Arubi doing well again to punch his shot off the line moments later.
Arubi was called into action once more on 10 minutes to keep out Bright Osayi-Samuel's attempt and the visitors created their first chance in the 14th minute when Walter Musona turned on the afterburners to race past William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey before flashing a shot just wide of the target.
Ademola Lookman should have done better two minutes later as he could only find the side-netting from inside the area while back up the other end, Khama Billiat wasn't able to beat Stanley Nwabali one-on-one after being played through on goal in the 19th minute.
The pace died down as the first half wore on and the two teams went into the break still deadlocked at 0-0.
The hosts started the second half brightly and Alex Iwobi was presented with a good chance to open the scoring on 51 minutes after getting on the end of Lookman's cross, but his attempt went wide of goal.
Lookman was also wasteful when he shimmied his way past a couple of defenders before lashing the ball narrowly past the post on 62 minutes, while Tolu Arokodare forced Arubi into a fine save with his header three minutes later from Iwobi's cross.
However, the goal the Super Eagles had been threatening finally arrived in the 74th minute as Arokodare held up the ball and laid it off for Ola Aina, whose cross was headed home by none other than Osimhen.
Wilfred Ndidi squandered a golden opportunity to put Nigeria two-up with six minutes left on the clock after he was played through on goal, but he lacked composure and his shot flew high and wide.
The Warriors would make them pay at the death when Chirewa capitalised on slackness from the opposition defence to equalise in the final minute.
Love thy neighbour! 🫶
— Sahil Ebrahim (@sahil_e_) March 25, 2025
We effing love you today Zimbabwe! 🇿🇼
Nigeria 1-1 Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/FNZRGZr8OE
Nigeria (0) 1 (Osimhen 74')
Zimbabwe (0) 1 (Chirewa 90')
Nigeria: S. Nwabali, B. Osayi-Samuel, W. Troost-Ekong, C. Bassey, O. Aina, W. Ndidi, S. Chukwueze (T. Arokodare 60'), A. Lookman, A. Iwobi (R. Onyedika 78'), V. Osimhen, M. Simon.
Zimbabwe: W. Arubi, E. Jalai, M. Garan'anga, G. Takwara, D. Lunga, A. Rinomhota (T. Maswanhise 85'), M. Munetsi, J. Zemura, K. Billiat (P. Dube 85'), W. Musona (T. Dzvukamanja 63', T. Chirewa 80'), K. Musona.