After failing to soar against lowly Lesotho in Uyo on Thursday, the Eagles know nothing but a win will set them back on course for World Cyp qualification
Nigeria will look to get their qualification hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup back on track when they trade tackles with Zimbabwe on Sunday, November 19, 2023.
Contrary to what many predicted, the Super Eagles stumbled to a 1-1 draw with Lesotho on matchday one of the qualification campaign inside the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
In the absence of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Jose Peseiro’s men were wasteful and uncoordinated in attack, missing several gilt-edged chances.
Lesotho punished the indecisive Nigerians when Motlomelo Mkhwanazi handed the Crocodiles the lead early in the second half.
Semi Ajayi headed home the equaliser for the Eagles in the 66th minute, but the team could not muster the winning goal.
Following that disappointing draw, Nigeria will be desperate for all three points when they meet with Zimbabwe in Rwanda’s Southern Province of Butare on Sunday.
Zimbabwe, however, will draw confidence from Lesotho’s display against Nigeria and their own performance against Rwanda on the same day.
The Warriors were arguably the better side and were unlucky not to score in a game that ended in a 0-0 draw inside the Stade Huye in Butare.
That was an impressive result as the Southern Africans only emerged from a FIFA-imposed 18-month ban that saw the team miss out on playing in the African Cup of Nations preliminaries in 2023.
Zimbabwe have adopted the same Stade Huye in Rwanda as their home ground for the clash with Nigeria and will look to claim a memorable win over the former African champions.
Recall, coach Peseiro went with the striking duo of Taiwo Awoniyi and Victor Boniface against Lesotho, but he will be forced to make changes as the Nottingham Forest man has left the Super Eagles camp due to injury.
The striker’s absence poses a potential setback for Nigeria and Forest, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming crucial Zimbabwe encounter for Nigeria and English Premier League matches for Steve Cooper’s men.
