The Zimbabwe Warriors went to Nigeria needing nothing of victory against hosts the Super Eagles, Nigeria but managed to salvage a 1 all draw denting their world cup 2026 qualification hopes.
As early as the second minute, Nigeria nearly broke through but an alert Washington Arubi in goals for the warriors denied them after making a fine save. Two minutes later it was Zimbabwe who had a crack at goal after a few good exchanges on the left side. Knowledge Musona was causing all sorts of problems at the front.
The Super Eagles were trying everything and were firing from all cylinders but they found the warriors defence intact. Emmanuel ‘Kapopi’ Jalai who was playing on the right side of defence was enjoying himself in the Zimbabwean colours.
Eight minutes into the game Arubi was forced to make another save after Nigeria were awarded a corner kick and their striker had a free header but found Arubi at his best. Arubi kept his team in the game as he made a double save again some few minutes later. The Zimbabwe goalkeeper was the busiest man on the pitch as Nigeria kept pouncing. The Warriors got a free kick a few metres off the penalty box but Walter Musona skyrocketed the resultant free kick. Warriors captain Marshall Munetsi spotted his striker Walter Musona and dispatched an inviting pass to Musona only for him to hit the side netting after outpacing his markers 14 minutes into the match.
The warriors began to crawl back into the match and the match started to take shape as both teams were going for each other. It was now like a see saw. Twenty minutes into the match Warriors captain Marshall Munetsi released Khama Billiart with his pin point pass who was slow to react and allowed the Nigerian goalkeeper to come off his line and clear the ball.
The warriors were let off the hook in the 31st minute after Nigeria’s Samuel Chukwez had the best chance to bury the visitors after a good build up but he blasted his effort over the bar with the warriors defenders ball watching. Five minutes before half time Gerald Takwara did an incredible job when he threw himself to block Super Eagle’s attack.
In the 42nd minute it was Garan’anga’s turn to block another Nigerian attack. The warriors managed to hold the Super Eagles in the first half with the match tied at nil all.
In the second half, Nigeria came back with more attacking firepower than their opponents. They were coming using Jalai’s flank.
They found their breakthrough in the 74th minute through Victor Osimhen who headed home to beat Arubi who had been outstanding throughout the game.
Zimbabwe got their reply in the 90th minute when Tawanda Chirewa scored the all important goal for the Warriors who are staring another failure to qualify for the world cup.
Zimbabwe has never qualified for the world cup and under new coach Michael Nees there was hope this time around they may break the jinx.
The team anchor group C with 4 points while leaders South Africa have thirteen points. With four games remaining it remains to be seen whether they will turn the tables and produce scintillating performances that may inspire them to finish tops.
