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Zimbabwe head coach Michael Nees has called on his players to embrace the challenge of facing Nigeria, insisting they have no reason to be intimidated by the Super Eagles, Footynaija.com reports.
Speaking after a training session in Uyo ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier, Nees acknowledged Nigeria’s individual quality but pointed out that their campaign has been far from smooth.
The Warriors currently sit at the bottom of Group C, having collected just three points from five matches. Their hopes of securing a place at the 2026 World Cup are hanging by a thread, while Nigeria—despite their star-studded squad—have also struggled in the qualifiers, undergoing managerial changes along the way.
“Nigeria is halfway through the campaign, Nigeria from the individual players is top class, absolutely top class,” Nees told the Warriors’ media team.
“They messed up their campaign in the beginning, the third coach now in the campaign, they won in Rwanda, which was for them always a little bit difficult opponent.
“They will come now with confidence and with all their power, they want to turn this campaign around, so do we.”
Warriors Head Coach Michael Nees is happy with the conditions in Uyo ahead of Tuesday’s crunch encounter against the Super Eagles at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Tuesday. #bayawabaya pic.twitter.com/zjHr0Qb1LV
— Zimbabwe Football Association (@online_zifa) March 23, 2025
Despite the odds, Nees remains optimistic, stressing that Zimbabwe must match the intensity of their opponents at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
“It will be an exciting game. We have to perform to our maximum for sure. We can expect really tough opponents, giving everything but we have to also give everything,” he said.
The coach urged his players to rise to the occasion, adapt to the conditions, and approach the match with belief.
“They must accept the challenge, the climate, the pace, the conditions and enjoy it. They mustn’t be afraid of anything. There’s no reason for it, we can play football.
“We will analyze our opponents and our game. They can believe in themselves, they don’t need to be nervous or whatsoever.
“They showed it already many times that they are very good players, very good character and I am really looking forward to this game.”
Nees also highlighted the electric atmosphere expected in Uyo, predicting a match that will test both teams.
“That will be a real football match. I don’t know how many spectators but could be 30,000.
“I haven’t been inside the stadium yet to know how many seats but it will be a nice football game every player likes to play.”
Nigeria boast a strong record against Zimbabwe, remaining unbeaten in their last seven meetings with four wins and three draws. However, the Warriors will be determined to change that narrative when they step onto the pitch.
