Victor Osimhen’s 74th minute header was cancelled out by Tawanda Chirewa’s late equalizer as the Super Eagles played out a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in their sixth 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying game at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Footynaija.com reports.
With the Super Eagles stumbling once more in the ongoing qualifiers, Footynaija.com rates the performances of Eric Chelle’s men during the game.
Stanley Nwabali: 6.0
The Super Eagles goalkeeper pulled off a brilliant save to deny Khama Billiat in the first half but remained largely untroubled in the second until Zimbabwe’s late equaliser, where he could have done much better in terms of organising his defense
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Bright Osayi-Samuel: 6.0
Osayi-Samuel was solid at times but struggled with positioning, especially in key defensive moments. While he showcased good athleticism and moved forward well, his precision in the final third was lacking. Defensively, he held his ground but was occasionally caught out of position.
William Troost-Ekong: 5.5
The Super Eagles captain defended well for most of the game, especially in the first half, winning key aerial duels. However, he was slow to react during Zimbabwe’s equalizer and struggled in the final minutes, losing focus and allowing the opposition to capitalize.
Calvin Bassey: 6.5
Bassey was Nigeria’s best defender on the night, making key tackles and dominating duels to keep Zimbabwe’s attack largely in check. However, despite his composure on the ball, the Fulham defender was involved in a defensive lapse that ultimately cost the Super Eagles.
Ola Aina: 6.5
Aina was a constant threat down the left flank, making strong attacking runs and delivering dangerous crosses. He provided a brilliant assist for Osimhen’s goal and was one of the Super Eagles’ standout performers, although he was occasionally caught out defensively.
Wilfred Ndidi: 7.0
Ndidi worked hard, disrupting play and protecting the defense with a composed and disciplined display. He controlled the middle of the park for most of the game but faded towards the end and missed a crucial chance to double Nigeria’s lead.
Alex Iwobi: 6.7
Iwobi sought to control the tempo of the game and was lively for most of his time on the pitch, taking a few shots on goal but struggling to create clear chances. His energy faded in the second half, leading to his substitution.
Moses Simon: 6.8
Simon was a livewire, particularly in the first half, but his final delivery was inconsistent. Although he improved after the break, he struggled to maintain consistency. Despite flashes of brilliance, he lacked the decisive final pass.
Samuel Chukwueze: 5.5
Chukwueze followed up his poor showing against Rwanda with another disappointing display in Uyo. His 59 minutes on the pitch was marked by poor decision-making and a lot of misplaced crosses.
Ademola Lookman: 6.8
Lookman was lively in the first half, consistently challenging Zimbabwe’s defense. The Atalanta star had a great chance to score but was denied by strong defending. Although he worked hard and linked up well with Osimhen, his impact in the final third was greatly limited.
Victor Osimhen: 7.5
Despite a lack of quality service, Osimhen had several chances saved by the Zimbabwean goalkeeper before scoring the Super Eagles’ only goal with a well-timed header. His movement was a constant threat, but unfortunately, his efforts were not enough to secure a win.
Substitutes
Raphael Onyedika: 5.0
Onyedika came on for Iwobi in the 78th minute but had little impact on the game as the Warriors went on to grab an equalizer on his watch.
Tolu Arokodare: 6.5
After replacing Chukwueze on the hour-mark, Arokodare made an instant impact with his strong aerial presence and excellent hold-up play. He was key in the build-up to Osimhen’s goal, bringing energy and contributing significantly to the Super Eagles’ attack.
