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The dream of seeing Nigeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered another major setback on Tuesday 25 March as the Super Eagles failed to hold on to a crucial victory, conceding a heartbreaking last-minute equaliser against Zimbabwe in Uyo. The 1-1 draw leaves Nigeria in a precarious position in Group C, now trailing leaders South Africa by six points with only four games left to turn their fortunes around.
For much of the evening, it seemed as though Victor Osimhen’s diving header in the 74th minute would be enough to hand Nigeria all three points and keep their qualification hopes alive. The Galatasaray forward, fresh from his brace against Rwanda, had once again risen to the occasion for the Super Eagles.
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But in the 90th minute, disaster struck. A lapse in concentration at the back allowed Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa to slip through and finish calmly past Stanley Nwabali, silencing the home crowd and sending Nigerian fans into despair.
It was a bitter result for the Super Eagles, who had dominated the game from the outset. An energetic start saw Washington Arubi, Zimbabwe’s veteran goalkeeper, forced into multiple early saves as Nigeria pressed for an opener. But despite their control, they failed to capitalise on their opportunities, a recurring issue throughout the qualifying campaign.
This latest result means Nigeria has now won just one of their opening six qualifiers, drawing four and losing crucial ground in the race for a World Cup spot. With only the group winners guaranteed automatic qualification, the Super Eagles are now in a dangerous position,fourth in Group C, behind South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin.
South Africa, meanwhile, extended their lead at the top with a 2-0 victory over Benin, thanks to goals from Burnley’s Lyle Foster and Jayden Adams. That result only worsened Nigeria’s predicament, as they now find themselves six points adrift of the group leaders.
To make matters worse, the Super Eagles also sit outside the play-off spots, which are reserved for the four best second-placed teams across the nine African qualifying groups.
Nigeria’s struggles in this qualification campaign have been a combination of poor finishing, defensive lapses, and tactical uncertainty. New head coach, Eric Chelle, who took over amid high expectations, has struggled to find a consistent winning formula. The team’s inability to see out games has been particularly costly.
Even with the firepower of Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze, the attack has failed to be clinical when it matters most. Defensive frailties have also been exposed, with Nwabali and his backline unable to keep crucial clean sheets.
With four games remaining, Nigeria’s path to qualification is now out of their hands. Even if they win all their remaining matches, they will need South Africa and other rivals to drop points in order to stand a chance of topping the group.
Their upcoming fixtures include a must-win game against South Africa, a team that has already shown resilience and sits in pole position for automatic qualification. Anything less than victory in that match could all but end Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the expanded 48-team tournament in 2026.
Should they fail to win the group, their only hope will be to secure a second-place finish and qualify for the intercontinental playoffs—a difficult route that would involve facing teams from other continents for a last chance at qualification.
The reaction to Nigeria’s struggles has been one of frustration and disappointment. Fans took to social media to vent their anger, with many calling for changes in the squad selection. Football analysts have also questioned the mentality of the team, urging a swift turnaround before it’s too late.
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With the rich footballing history that Nigeria possesses, missing out on back-to-back World Cups would be a huge blow to the nation’s footballing pride. For a team that has graced the global stage multiple times and produced world-class talents, failure to qualify would not only be a sporting disaster but could also have lasting effects on the development of Nigerian football.
Time is running out, but all hope is not yet lost. The Super Eagles must regroup, find their best form and treat every remaining game as a final. The next international break will be crucial, as they prepare for their last chance at redemption.
For now, the road to the 2026 World Cup remains steep. The Super Eagles must rise to the challenge or risk watching the biggest tournament in world football from the sidelines once again.
