Chances scuffed, Arokodare vital, and other takeaways from Nigeria’s draw against Zimbabwe

Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying campaign roared back to life following a victory against Rwanda, and took another decline after a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in Uyo today, Soccernet.ng reports.

A Victor Osimhen brace secured a 2-0 victory over Rwanda — Nigeria’s first-ever win on Rwandan soil after three previous draws. The Galatasaray forward was on the scoresheet again in Uyo, and was withdrawn in the 87th minute.

Almost immediately, the Zimbabweans capitalized on the Super Eagles’ slight slumber and equalized to spoil Eric Chelle’s side’s party. Soccernet.ng highlights five key takeaways from this disappointing draw.

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1. Scuffed chances could cost Super Eagles World Cup spot

The Nigerian team had better chances by a mile, but the lack of clinicality in front of the goal cost them all three points.

If they’d gotten a goal in the first half, it would’ve settled any early nerves, which they would’ve capitalized on after the restart.

2. Nigeria lose focus after scoring

Victor Osimhen’s goal came in the 74th minute, and Michael Nees’s side immediately responded with three chances, hitting the crossbar with one before their eventual goal came.

The three chances were more than they managed before the Super Eagles opened the scoring, hinting they let their foot off the pedal after going in front.

Going forward, this is something they’ll need to look out for, or else it’s goodbye to the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the three-time AFCON Champions.

3. Early tests for Chelle’s in-game management

Victor Osimhen was withdrawn with three minutes left on the clock. With Tolu Arokodare already on the pitch and Nigeria being a goal up, bringing Victor Boniface on at that stage of the game was needless.

At the stage where a game needs to be seen out with a lead, bringing a defensive-minded player on could’ve saved Nigeria the lead today, and Chelle will need to learn fast if he wants to remain in charge of the Super Eagles.

4. Arokodare shows a glimpse of hope

Standing at 1.97m tall, the Genk striker proved he could be an option off the bench for the Super Eagles on his second cap.

A slightly different profile to Osimhen, Arokodare’s hold-up play was key to Victor Osimhen’s opener, and that hints there’s more to his game beyond finding the back of the net.

5. Moses Simon and dreadful deliveries

One could credit the FC Nantes winger for always creating space for himself on the left and for showing the courage to consistently take on defenders, but, for all of his good work on the wing, Simon doesn’t produce accurate crosses, and this left Victor Osimhen frustrated several times.

Most of his crosses were either overhit or underhit, with no one barely hitting the target, which is reminiscent of the AFCON 2023 story.

The Super Eagles will need better deliveries if they’re to miraculously qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, from both flanks.