)
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have failed to defeat the Warriors of Zimbabwe in a crunch World Cup qualifier at the Uyo Township Stadium, Akwa-Ibom state.
GOODBYE: The next round of World Cup qualifier take place in September 2025.
)
South Africa lead group C with 13 point, Nigeri have 7, a point behind Rwanda and Benin who have 8 points each.
FULL-TIME: Nigeria and Zimbabwe share the points and thsi sis abig bklow for Nigeria as they aim to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
GOAL: Zimbabwe have equalised after some poor dfending by Troost Ekong. Tawanda Chirewa tame effort beats Nwabali.
SUBSTITUTION: Goalscorer Victor Osimhen is replaced by Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface, with three minutes to go.
83' Almost a second goal for Nigeria but Wilfred Ndidi hits his shot wide after arriving to a through ball in the ball from Moses Simon.
SUBSTITUTION: Raphael Onyedika replaces Alex Iwobi in midfield.
76' BIG CHANCE FOR ZIMBABWE: The Warriors almost equalised immediately after Nwabali fails to hold a shot and it falls to a Zimbabwean player who send his cross unto the post. Calvin Bassey was quick to quickly clear the ball.
74' GOAL: Nigeria breaks the deadluck. Who else but Victor Osimhen. Moses Simon picks out Arokodare with a cross, he feeds the ball to Ola Aina who delivers a lovely cross into the box and Osimhen was there to apply a bullet header.
64' BIG SAVE: Alex Iwobi lifts an inch perfect cross to Tolu Arokodare who gets a strong header on it but the Zimbabwe goalkeeper produces an excellent save. corner to Nigeria.
SUBSTITUTION (Zimbabwe): Walter Musona is replaced by Terrence Dzvukamanja.
61' A loose ball in the opposition box breaks to Ademola Lookman but the Atalanta man drives his shot into the side netting, much to the frustration of Eric Chelle.
59' SUBSTITUTION: Eric Chelle makes his first chnace of the game. The big man Tolu Arokodare is on for Samuel Chukwueze
BIG MISS: Moses Simon dribbles his man down the the left, squares the ball to AIex Iwobi in the box but the former Arsenal midfielder couldn't keep his effort down with his weaker left foot.
51' Nigeria have started the second half the brighter of the two sides and have had some half chances. They look the likeliest to score first.
SECOND HALF: The second 45 has started with the Super Eagles of Nigeria kicking off proceedings.
HALF -TIME: After 45 minutes of action at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, the deadlock is yet to broken as the game remains goalless.
ADDED TIME: The fourth official has indicated that there would be two minutes of added time in the first-half of this tie.
45' A poor clearance from Zimbabwe falls kindly for Alex Iwobi, the Fulham man hits it first time but couldn't keep it down.
43' Nigeria have enjoyed the lion share of possession in the last few minutes but the final pass has been missing.
36' Dangerous cross from Moses Simon into the box for Victor Osimhen but Takwara deals with it expertly. Another big chance for Nigeria as Iwobi finds Lookman in the box but a Zimbabwean defender blocks it.
31' BIG CHANCE FOR NIGERIA: After half an hour of football, Moses Simon dribbles his way into the opposition box and lays the pass for Samuel Chukwueze on his left foot but the former Villarreal man could not keep his effort down.
22' It's been a fairly even game so far and the Zimbabweans haven't shown Nigeria any respect at all. Both teams have had pockets of half chances here and there but the scores remain 0-0.
20' BIG SAVE BY NWABALI: An excellent through ball exposes Bassey in Nigeria's defence, but Nwabali was quickly off his line to save the shot from Billiat.
15' BIG CHANCE FOR ZIMBABWE: A ball over the top of the Nigerian defence leaves Ola Aina exposed in a one on one race but Musona can only fire into the side netting. Minutes later, Moses Simon will also hit the side netting after some nice footwork down the left.
13' Nigeria have been finding a lot of joy down the right hand side of Zimbabwe thanks to the pace of Moses Simon but the Warriors defense have held their own.
9' The Zimbabwe goalkeeper Arubi has been in fine form and denied Osayi Osayi who got on the end of a cross. Arubi receives treatment after going down but he's back on his feet.
7' Victor Osimhen show early intent by firing a shot and Arubi in goal for Zimbabwe produced a brilliant save to deny the Galatasaray man. From the resulting corner, Osimhen tests the Zimbabwe goalie.
KICK OFF: Zimbabwe get us under way in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria. Where will the pendulum swing in this one?
Both teams have sung their national anthems and exchanged pleasantries. It's time for business.
Any moment from now the match will kick off but let's have a feel of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo
Starting XI (Zimbabwe) 4-2-3-1: Arubi; Jalai, Garananga, Takwara, Lunga; Munetsi (C), Rinomhota, Musona, Billiat, Zemura; Musona
Starting XI (Nigeria) 4-1-3-2: Nwabali, Aina, Ekong (C), Bassey, Osayi-Samuel; Ndidi; Iwobi Chukwueze, Lookman; Simon, Osimhen.
Team News: Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has decided to stick with the same 11 that started against the Amavubi of Rwanda on Friday. Samuel Chukwueze retains his position in midfield, alongside Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman, while Wilfred Ndidi provides the screen for the back four.
THROWBACK: During a World Cup qualifier in 2018, Nigeria were ducked 3 three points when the Super Eagles featured an ineligible player in Shehu Abdullahi against Algeria. The Desert Warriors were awarded a 3-0 win despite the game initially ending in a 1-1 draw.
South Africa's Teboho Mokoena picked up two yellow cards in the previous rounds and should not have featured for Bafana Bafana in the game against Lesotho. However, he did play 82 minutes of action in the encounter.
ADVANTAGE NIGERIA? There are reports that the Super Eagles of Nigeria might get an edge in group C of the World Cup qualifiers after group leaders South Africa were allegedly accused of fielding an ineligible player in their last game against Lesotho.
HELLO and welcome to the live coverage of the World Cup Qualifier between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Warriors of Zimbabwe.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)