Zimbabwe coach Michael Nees has bragged that his team and Nigeria have similar chances of qualifying for the World Cup after playing out a 1-1 draw on Tuesday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Zimbabwe forced the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw in the return leg of their 2026 World Cup Qualifiers at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday.
Nigeria bossed the game and looked the more dangerous team for most parts, but they lacked the cutting edge in the final third until Victor Osimhen snuck in a late goal in the 74th minute.
Unfortunately for the Super Eagles, Tawanda Chirewa scored a late goal in the 90th minute to help the Warriors get a crucial point away from Uyo.
The result ensured that the Super Eagles have failed to beat Zimbabwe over two legs. After the game, the Warriors’ coach, Nees, was in high spirits. When asked about his team’s chances of qualifying for the next World Cup, he was quite bullish.
“I said before that the World Cup qualification is over when it is over. If it is over for us then it is over for Nigeria also,” Nees said. His statement caused some laughter among the Nigerian journalists, and he replied, “You’re laughing, how many points do you (Nigeria) have?”
Zimbabwe National Team coach, Michael Nees throws shade at Nigerians.#worldcupqualifiers2026 pic.twitter.com/xurK8r4btC
— Soccernet.ng (@soccernet_ng) March 25, 2025
Where do the Super Eagles stand after the Zimbabwe draw?
Following the result against Zimbabwe, the Super Eagles of Nigeria now sit fourth in Group C of the World Cup Qualifiers with seven points from six games.
With four games left, they are six points behind group leaders South Africa, who have garnered 13 points from six games. The Super Eagles are also one point off Rwanda, who sit second with eight points.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe sit rock-bottom of Group C, with four points after six games.
