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The Super Eagles World Cup ambition is now hanging by a thread after a disappointing draw at home to Zimbabwe.
The Super Eagles World Cup dreams suffered a major hit as they failed to beat the Warriors of Zimbabwe at home.
Nigeria dominated most of the proceedings but failed to create clear-cut chances. Eventually, they went ahead in the 74th minute thanks to an Osimhen goal; however, a momentary lapse of concentration saw their points reduced to one after Tawanda Chirewa danced through the Super Eagles' defence before side-footing home.
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19:00 - 25.03.2025
Nigeria vs Zimbabwe: Super Eagles throw away World Cup chance in disappointing draw against Warriors
The Super Eagles were unable to make the most of home advantage against bottom-of-the-table Zimbabwe in a massive blow for their World Cup hopes
19:05 - 25.03.2025
Nigeria vs Zimbabwe: No Osimhen No Party and 2 other lessons from the disappointing draw
The Super Eagles failed to do the job against Zimbabwe, settling for another 1-1 draw after conceding late in the game. Here are the lessons from the game.
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Stanley Nwanbali (6.0)
The Chippa United shot-stopper was barely called to action, as the Super Eagles had the lion's share of possession, and when Zimbabwe did foray forward, they could not get their attempts on target.
However, he had a crucial intervention in the 75th minute, preventing Dzukamanja from scoring a 1v1 opportunity. The former Enyimba man could do little to prevent Chirewa’s goal.
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Bright Osayi Samuel (4.5)
The Fenerbahce defender failed to provide the relevant offensive support required of him. Also, he was caught out of position for most of Zimbabwe's best chances in the game, including the goal.
William Troost Ekong (4.5)
The Super Eagles captain did not have a bad game, until the goal Nigeria conceded.
He was not tasked with much for most of the game; however, Zimbabwe caught Nigeria out on multiple occasions, a failing in the defensive line set and led by the Al Kholood centre-back.
For Zimbabwe's equaliser, the Huddersfield Town winger bypassed Ekong a little too easily before side-footing home.
Calvin Bassey (5.5)
The Fulham defender, like his captain, did not face much danger, but was also guilty of letting the Warriors have too much joy behind the Super Eagles backline.
On the ball, he was decent at best, and could not really play his trademark weighted verticals into midfield.
Ola Aina (6.5)
The Nottingham Forest ace was solid defensively when called upon. Offensively, however, he left a lot to be desired in the first half, as he failed to deliver quality in the box on multiple occasions.
However, he eventually got it right in the 74th minute, finding Victor Osimhen in the back post for the Super Eagles opener in the game.
Wilfred Ndidi (5.5)
The Leicester City midfielder’s limitations on the ball were well evident in this match, as he was clumsy in his passing. Also, he seems to have lost a lot of his water-breaking ability as Zimbabwe bypassed Nigeria’s midfield with ease during counterattacks. However, he put in some solid tackles, and came close to scoring a second for Nigeria.
Alex Iwobi (6.0)
The Fulham midfielder was integral in the first-half as he started the Super Eagles’ better offensive moves. However, he tailed off in the second half when deployed deeper to help the Super Eagles progress the ball better.
Samuel Chukwueze (4.5)
The Super Eagles had a lot of joy from the flanks in the first half and failed to capitalise in part due to Chukwueze's failings.
The AC Milan star failed to beat his man; neither could he deliver telling balls into the box. He also missed a gilt-edged chance in the first half after he was set up by Moses Simon.
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Ademola Lookman (6.0)
The Atalanta star was lively throughout the game. His passing was good; so was his dribbling. However, he has multiple chances in which he could have done better with his shooting.
Moses Simon (6.0)
The Nantes winger, like Chukwueze, was a major culprit in the Super Eagles failing to capitalise on their dominance in the first half.
However, he was lively, and steadily grew into the game. He also created a couple of decent chances, and started the move that resulted in the Super Eagles’ opener.
Victor Osimhen (7.0)
Osimhen can never be accused of laziness, and he was not in this match. He worked his socks off, and had to be substituted in the 87th minute due to exhaustion.
He barely received service, but regularly harassed the Zimbabwe backline. The industry led to a penalty shout for Nigeria, which the referee waved off.
His moment of truth came in the 74th minute, when he peeled away from the Zimbabwean backline to head in a delicious delivery from Ola Aina. The would-be winner could only earn a point in the end, however, as the Super Eagles went on to concede.
Substitutes
Tolu Arokodare (6.5)
The towering Genk striker came on for Samuel Chukwueze just on the hour mark and his impact was tremendous. He was an extra target for crosses, and he had two chances from headers.
His most telling contribution, however, was his involvement in Nigeria's opener. Arokodare received a lofted pass from Moses Simon, held it up expertly before sending it wide to Aina who found Osimhen at the back post.
Raphael Onyedika (5.0)
The Club Brugge man showed his calmness in the ball, and put in a few crunching tackles. However, he and Ndidi could have done better in helping Nigeria withstand the late pressure from Zimbabwe.
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