The Super Eagles are back in action on Tuesday at 17:00 as they host Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, with momentum on their side and World Cup qualification hopes suddenly alive again.
After a much-needed 2-0 victory away in Rwanda in Eric Chelle’s first match in charge, Nigeria now have the chance to string together back-to-back wins and climb the Group C standings. Victor Osimhen’s clinical first-half double in Kigali was the difference, but it was the collective performance, built on pressing, intensity and discipline, that had fans excited for this new era.
A New-Look Nigeria
Chelle wasted no time stamping his identity on this team. The Super Eagles pressed high from the opening whistle against Rwanda, controlling territory and tempo in a way fans haven’t seen in years. After the match, the former Mali coach was full of praise for his players, but clear that the job is far from done.
“It was a difficult game, Rwanda has a great team. I am proud of my players’ performance. We worked a lot within a few days. We had just two full training sessions. We kept the ball well in the second half — good performance from my guys,” Chelle said in his post-match press conference.
“It is my joy to set up the system. We tried two different systems in the team. We need to improve — it is the first game, and we are going back to work for the second game.”
“Every player in the team can play. We need to work together and achieve the goal of qualifying for the World Cup. We have great players. Today, the team was good. My job is to make the decisions — to decide on the system and the personality.”
It was a performance full of structure, purpose and pressing – a far cry from the passive, reactive displays that haunted Nigeria earlier in the campaign. Chelle is expected to stick with his 4-4-2 diamond formation, and Uyo will be electric as he leads the Super Eagles out for his first home game in charge.
Team News
Victor Osimhen’s energy started to fade towards the end of the win over Rwanda, but the Turkish Süper Lig top scorer is expected to start once again after delivering a decisive first-half brace in Kigali. With his confidence high, he’ll remain the focal point of Nigeria’s attack as he hunts down more goals in his quest to break Rashidi Yekini’s all-time scoring record.
Victor Osimhen now stands alone as the Super Eagles second-highest goalscorer ever ???
— Bet9ja: The home of #betBOOM! ? (@Bet9jaOfficial) March 22, 2025
25 goals in just 39 games – and he’s hunting down Yekini’s all-time record of 37 ?
How long until he’s No.1? pic.twitter.com/lpCsdtN5uI
There is a slight concern at the back, however. Bright Osayi-Samuel suffered a dead leg in the closing stages on Tuesday and is a doubt for the clash in Uyo. If he doesn’t recover in time, Ola Aina is likely to shift across to his more natural right-back position, with Bruno Onyemaechi coming in at left-back.
Eric Chelle is expected to keep faith with much of the team that secured Nigeria’s first win of the campaign. At the back, Calvin Bassey and William Troost-Ekong should continue their partnership in central defence.
In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi are likely to retain their roles, while Ademola Lookman is expected to keep his place out wide. Samuel Chukwueze’s spot is less certain, however. The Villarreal winger struggled in an unfamiliar central midfield role against Rwanda, lacking the positional awareness and creative link required in that part of the pitch. His tendency to drift inside often disrupted Nigeria’s shape going forward.
As a result, Chukwueze could make way for Raphael Onyedika or Joe Aribo, who offer more structure and energy in central areas.
Zimbabwe’s Struggles
Zimbabwe arrive bottom of Group C with just three points from five games. They drew 2-2 with Benin last week after falling two goals behind, showing some resilience but also highlighting their defensive vulnerability. With star midfielder Marvelous Nakamba ruled out through injury, the Warriors face a tough challenge in Uyo.
That hasn’t stopped the Zimbabwean government from raising the stakes: President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reportedly promised the squad $150,000 if they beat Nigeria. Captain William Troost-Ekong has already responded with confidence:
“We read somewhere that the Zimbabweans are being motivated to come to Uyo and get a result. They should forget it.” Troost told reporters as the team arrived at the Victor Attah International Airport on Saturday
Head-to-Head: History Favours Nigeria
The Super Eagles have never lost to Zimbabwe in a competitive fixture. In eight total meetings, Nigeria have won four and drawn three, with the only defeat coming in a 1981 friendly.
One of the standout moments came in a 2005 World Cup qualifier, when Nigeria dismantled the Warriors 5-1. More recently, the two sides drew 1-1 in the reverse fixture of this qualifying campaign back in 2023 – but the difference in form and firepower between then and now is stark.
Predicted Lineups
Nigeria (4-4-2 diamond):
Nwabali; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Iwobi, Onyedika; Lookman; Osimhen, Simon
Zimbabwe (4-2-3-1):
Arubi; Jalai, Garananga, Takwara, Lunga; Munetsi, Rinomhota; Zemura, Billiat, Musona; Chirewa
Prediction
Nigeria looked like a team reborn under Chelle at times on Friday, and with the home crowd behind them, the intensity is expected to be even higher than in Kigali. Zimbabwe are winless in 11 World Cup qualifiers and have never won a qualifier away from home since 2004.
All signs point to another Super Eagles victory — and with Victor Osimhen in this kind of form, don’t be surprised if he adds to his growing goal tally.
Prediction: Nigeria 3-0 Zimbabwe
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