Chirewa equaliser ruins Nigeria’s World Cup hopes in Warriors’ drawn clash
By Auther Chimbgwa
England-based star striker Tawanda Chirewa rose from the bench to net a sensational stoppage time equaliser that saw the Zimbabwe Warriors secure a 1-1 draw with Nigeria in a thoroughly absorbing 2026 FIFA World Cup (CAF Group C) qualifier played under baking temperatures at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Nigeria’s southeastern city of Uyo Tuesday evening.
The result dealt a massive blow to the Super Eagles’ hopes of staying within shouting distance of log leaders South Africa, who took their tally to 13 points following a 2-0 triumph away to Benin.
The strike by Chirewa after 91 minutes produced the fourth draw for the Warriors in six outings in the competition so far.
Turkey-based striker Victor Osimhen appeared to have given Nigeria a well-deserved victory 74 minutes into the tie when he was granted freedom by his markers to fire a bullet header off a cross by the impressive Ola Aina. The goal sent the Nigerian crowd alive.
But the introduction of Chirewa after 79 minutes by head coach Michael Nees proved a masterstroke for the valiant Warriors who kept their faith right up to the death to break the hearts of the Super Eagles.
Knowledge Musona was denied by the woodwork in the 77th minute when the Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali had abandoned his goal area to try and thwart a Warriors raid.
Zimbabwe, however, should be grateful to veteran shot stopper Washington Arubi who pulled a number of brilliant saves to deny the marauding Nigerian strikers a chance to score.
Playing before a near capacity gallery of about 30 000 fans, the Super Eagles piled pressure from the onset, and with just nine minutes of play, Arubi produced a heroic save from Osimhen’s strike from close range.
Samuel Chakwezi missed a glorious opportunity when he blasted his effort over the bar after being fed by Simon in the 32nd minute.
The Warriors held on for dear life till half time and had Arubi to thank for going to the break without conceding.
The same trend continued in the second half, and in the 65th minute, Arubi was summoned again to deny Nigeria when he tipped an effort by the opponent over the bar.
The draw, the second in back-to-back world cup qualifying clashes between the old rivals, leaves Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup hanging by a thread as they lie third on the log standings with seven points from six games.
The Warriors anchor the log standings with four points and are virtually out of the running for a place at the 2026 Mondial to be jointly hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.
Meanwhile, in another Group C match played Tuesday, Rwanda played out to a 1-1 draw with Lesotho.
