Lackluster Nigeria continued their stumbling start to the African 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on Sunday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Zimbabwe in Group C at the Huye Stadium. The 2013 AFCON champions needed a good result after their underwhelming 1-1 draw with Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Thursday. They were made to work hard by the Warriors, fighting for their very existence in international football. Zimbabwe’s Walter Musona dealt the Eagles a blow in the 26th minute with a precise 30-meter free kick that found its way past the helpless Francis Uzoho.
The Super Eagles could not find their bearings in the first half. Their struggle continued in the second as Teenage Hadebe hooked over, Divine Lunga blazed wide, and Dynamos midfielder Tanaka Shandirwa blasted off target. Coach Jose Peseiro made changes at halftime, bringing on Victor Boniface, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Bright Osayi-Samuels in place of Ola Aina, Frank Onyeka, and Nathan Tella. His tactical move paid off as Iheanacho steered Moses Simon’s cutback into the left post in the 67th minute to level the score.
The result means Nigeria has two points from their opening two games, trailing leaders South Africa, who beat Benin 2-1 on Sunday. Nigeria must beat DR Congo and avenge the shock defeat to Lesotho to keep their hopes of winning one of Africa’s nine automatic qualification places for the finals in the United States, Mexico, and Canada alive.
Egypt and Algeria both claimed wins as the continent’s top sides flexed their muscles to put pressure on the Super Eagles and Zimbabwe. The Egyptians kept up their perfect start with a goal in each half from former Aston Villa midfielder Trezeguet to give them a 2-0 victory over Sierra Leone. At the same time, Algeria and Gabon also won to maintain their 100% records.
Zimbabwe and Nigeria are both in danger of being relegated to the play-offs for the fourth place, which will decide Africa’s sole entry into the World Cup finals. The best four group runners-up will enter the inter-confederation play-offs. Eritrea withdrew from the competition earlier this month, and the remaining six teams have been relegated to a four-team round-robin format that will begin in October. This will run until November next year, with the top three sides earning a direct entry into the finals. The finals will occur in the US, Canada, and Mexico from June to July 2026.
