Nigeria will aim to build on their momentum under Eric Chelle as they continue their mission to revive their 2026 World Cup qualification hopes when they welcome Zimbabwe to Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Tuesday.
The Abidjan-born Malian tactician made a flawless start to his tenure as Super Eagles boss last Friday, guiding them to a commanding 2-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali.
Match preview
© Imago
Charged with the task of reigniting Nigeria’s faltering campaign, Chelle ensured his debut on the touchline was one to remember, delivering the team’s first win of the qualifiers after a frustrating run of four winless games.
The three-time AFCON champions had scraped together just three draws from those outings, with frustrations boiling over, especially after a shock 2-1 defeat to Benin in June 2024.
That loss led to the departure of former coach Finidi George, who stepped down amid scrutiny over the team’s struggles and a reported fallout with the nation’s football federation.
The turbulence deepened with the controversy surrounding Victor Osimhen, who missed all previous qualifiers and openly expressed displeasure over an alleged remark from Finidi questioning his commitment.
Back in action and fully fit last Friday, Osimhen wasted no time reminding Nigerians of what they had been missing, netting a brace that propelled the African giants up to fourth in Group C, as they now set their sights on another crucial result against Zimbabwe.
With six points, two behind second-placed Benin Republic and four adrift of leaders South Africa, Nigeria know that any slip-up could prove costly, making Tuesday’s fixture a must-win as they aim to build momentum in their push for a place at the 2026 mundial.
This will be the fourth World Cup qualifier meeting between the two sides, with the Super Eagles emerging victorious in two of the previous three encounters, though their most recent clash ended in a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture of this campaign.
© Imago
Zimbabwe enter the contest on the back of a spirited fightback that saw them recover from a two-goal deficit to salvage a 2-2 draw against Benin last Thursday, courtesy of goals from Marshall Munetsi and Knowledge Musona.
Despite their resilience, Michael Nees‘s men remain rooted at the foot of the table, still searching for their first win of the campaign, having managed just three points from three draws.
The Warriors’s struggles largely stem from a leaky defence that has shipped a group-high eight goals, while their attack has also lacked bite, finding the net only four times.
That backline will face a stern test against a Nigerian side boasting one of the continent’s most formidable attacking duos in current African Best Player Ademola Lookman and the prolific Osimhen, who claimed the prestigious award the previous year.
Zimbabwe’s overall form does not inspire much confidence either, as they are now winless in five games, with two draws and three defeats, a dismal run they must halt if they are to keep any hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup alive.
Team News
© Imago
Chelle deployed his preferred 4-4-2 diamond against Rwanda and is expected to stick with the system on Tuesday, though minor adjustments in personnel could be on the cards, with Bright Osayi-Samuel a doubt after picking up a knock, which may see Ola Aina revert to his natural right-back role while Bruno Onyemaechi fills in at left-back.
Further up the pitch, tactical tweaks could be made in midfield, with Samuel Chukwueze, struggling in an unfamiliar role last time out, and may drop to the bench for Raphael Onyedika.
Meanwhile, Alex Iwobi is likely to retain his place alongside Lookman, who will operate just behind the strikers as Osimhen looks to add to his tally of 25 international goals, a figure that cements his status as Nigeria’s second all-time top scorer, two ahead of Segun Odegbami and 12 behind the legendary Rashidi Yekini.
For Zimbabwe, Nees is likely to maintain the 4-2-3-1 shape used against Benin, with Khama Billiat, who became the team’s joint-third most capped player after making his 57th appearance in that fixture, on the verge of surpassing Adam Ndlovu should he feature on Tuesday.
Musona’s recent goal took his international tally to 25, placing him third on Zimbabwe’s all-time scoring chart, nine behind A. Ndlovu in second and 12 adrift of record-holder Peter Ndlovu, as he seeks to add to his legacy in this crucial fixture.
Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Nwabali; Ekong, Bassey, Aina, Onyemaechi; Iwobi, Ndidi, Onyedika, Lookman; Simon, Osimhen
Zimbabwe possible starting lineup:
Arubi; Jalai, Garananga, Takwara, Lunga; Munetsi, Rinomhota; Musona, Billiat, Zemura; Dube
We say: Nigeria 2-0 Zimbabwe
Riding a wave of renewed momentum under Chelle, Nigeria will look to build on their resurgence, with the firepower of Osimhen and Lookman spearheading their charge.
The Super Eagles’s superior record in World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe further tilts the odds in their favour, making them strong favourites to claim victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
