Zimbabwe head coach, Michael Nees, has boldly declared that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following their disappointing 1-1 draw against his team in the recent qualifier, Nigeriasoccernet.com gathered.
The Super Eagles took the lead in the 74th minute through Victor Osimhen, but Zimbabwe responded dramatically in stoppage time, as Tawanda Chirewa slotted past Stanley Nwabali to secure a share of the points.
Reacting to the result, Nees questioned Nigeria’s approach, stating:
“If you want to qualify for the World Cup, you must play strategically, use your energy to create chances, and convert them.”
The German tactician took a swipe at the 2013 AFCON champions, suggesting that their current position in the qualifiers reflects their true quality.
“To be honest, I am very satisfied with our performance because we really came here to win. You may not believe it, but you saw it. We knew we could outplay Nigeria. As the game went on, the pressure on Nigeria increased, and that motivated us.
“As for now, the World Cup qualification is over for us as well as for Nigeria. Oh, you’re laughing? How many points do you (Nigeria) have? Are you first or second on the table? I came in as Zimbabwe coach in August, assembled these boys, and played a draw in Nigeria.”
Group C Standings After Matchday Six
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | South Africa | 13 |
| 2nd | Rwanda | 8 |
| 3rd | Benin | 8 |
| 4th | Nigeria | 7 |
| 5th | Lesotho | 6 |
| 6th | Zimbabwe | 4 |
The Super Eagles, who finished as runners-up at the 2023 AFCON, have now won just one of their six qualifiers, leaving their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread. Nigeria must now secure maximum points in their remaining fixtures and hope other results go in their favor to stand any chance of making it to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
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