Nigerian football legend Mutiu Adepoju has called on the Super Eagles to remain determined in their quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite a challenging 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe that has left their hopes hanging by a thread. The three-time African champions, who were coming off a morale-boosting 2-0 away win against Rwanda, faltered at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, where a late equalizer cost them crucial points in their qualification campaign.
The Super Eagles took the lead in the 74th minute through a well-taken goal by Victor Osimhen, but their joy was short-lived as substitute Tawanda Chirewa struck in the 90th minute to secure a draw for Zimbabwe. The result leaves Nigeria with just seven points from six matches, placing them fourth in Group C�six points behind leaders South Africa, who strengthened their position with a 2-0 victory over Benin Republic.
Speaking exclusively to Flashscore.com, Adepoju, a former Super Eagles midfielder, expressed his disappointment but urged the team to stay focused. �Before the game against Zimbabwe, I said Nigeria might qualify for the World Cup, but it would be tough. Now, it is even tougher,� the 54-year-old said. �We were on the right track after our win in Rwanda, but our result against Zimbabwe set us back. If we had won, we would have had nine points.�
Adepoju pinpointed poor game management as the key reason for the draw, noting a lack of aggression from the players in the closing stages. �The boys didn�t play badly, but poor game management at the end cost us the result. There was no aggression from the players,� he explained. �I expected them to be more aggressive when Zimbabwe looked like they might take the lead and not let them reach our area. That could have stopped their momentum in the final moments.�
The draw marked another winless outing for Nigeria in the qualifiers at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, fueling discussions about the team�s struggles at the Uyo-based venue. Some have speculated that the Super Eagles are under pressure when playing at home, but Adepoju dismissed these theories. �I wouldn�t say the Super Eagles are under pressure at home. Besides, the Uyo Stadium is the best in the country right now, which is why the Confederation of African Football approved it for the qualifiers,� he stated. �Moreover, the Super Eagles have won several matches in the past at this venue, and no one complained. If the results aren�t going our way this time, we should look inward to see what the players are not doing right.�
Under the guidance of new head coach Eric Chelle, who took over following Finidi George�s resignation, the Super Eagles are tasked with securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup, to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Chelle started his tenure on a positive note with the victory in Rwanda, but the draw against Zimbabwe has raised questions about the team�s consistency. Despite this, Adepoju believes it�s too early to judge the Franco-Malian coach harshly.
�At this point, it would be unfair to say Chelle is a bad coach�he is not. The only issue was the way the match against Zimbabwe was managed, which has put us in this situation,� Adepoju noted. �Now, he needs to identify the team�s mistakes and move forward for the upcoming matches. You never know what might happen. We just have to keep hope alive.�
Nigeria�s World Cup qualification journey will resume in September with two crucial fixtures. The Super Eagles will first host Rwanda in Uyo, before facing a daunting trip to South Africa, the Group C leaders, a few days later. With only the group winners guaranteed a spot at the 2026 World Cup and the four best runners-up advancing to a playoff, Nigeria must find a way to close the gap if they are to keep their dreams alive.
As the Super Eagles prepare for the next stage of their campaign, Adepoju�s words serve as a reminder of the resilience needed to overcome their current challenges. For now, Nigerian fans can only hope that Chelle and his squad can turn things around and secure a ticket to the global showpiece.
The Poise Nigeria
Your trusted source for sports, entertainment, and lifestyle news.
