Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE coach Michael Nees has boasted that his team can cause a big upset by beating Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Uyo when both teams clash in a crucial 2026 World Cup football qualifier later this month.
The Warriors, bottom of the table in Group C, will be guests of the Super Eagles on March 25 in Uyo as the qualification series for the global football showcase continues.
The World Cup qualifiers had been on a long break as teams focused on completing the races for places at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for Morocco in December.
Nees is aware that the Warriors would have to move mountains to bounce back into contention but insists that the task is not insurmountable.
“Like us, Nigeria have their back against the wall; they are like wounded lions who want to turn the page (after a poor start to the qualifiers),” Nees said.
“It will be an exciting game, and Nigeria are beatable in Uyo.”
Both teams played out a 1-1 draw in Huye, Rwanda, when they clashed in the reverse tie in November 2023.
Nigeria are fifth in Group C with three points from four matches, while Zimbabwe are bottom on two points.
The Super Eagles now have a new coach, new ways of doing things, and hopefully a couple of new players to challenge the status quo as the qualifying tournament for the 2026 World Cup resumes later this month.
Similarly, Nees was not in charge when the Warriors began their World Cup qualification bid with Brazilian Baltemar Britto presiding over the games in Rwanda before Manica Diamonds gaffer Jairos Tapera took over the mantle for the clashes against South Africa and Lesotho. New Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has already shown he will go about his business a little differently with the infusion of new blood into the national team setup.
This means the old guard of players have a lot to prove to the new boss, and so it will no longer be business as usual.
Genk striker Tolu Arokodare leads the new boys to the Super Eagles.
He has already posted his most prolific season by scoring 16 goals since he moved to Europe via Latvia.
Arokodare is a big center-forward who was a direct replacement for Paul Onuachu following his transfer to Southampton. He is good in the air and also makes the most of his physicality.
Victor Osimhen is the arrowhead of the Super Eagles, but in the event the team plays a twin strike force, Arokodare can battle the likes of Onuachu, Victor Boniface, and Sadiq Umar for the other striker’s spot.
Igho Ogbu is another fresh call-up who could push for a place in the main squad.
The big central defender featured at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, and since then he has made a record transfer from Norwegian club Lillestrom to top Czech club Slavia Praha.
He has used his physicality to great effect in the heart of the Slavia defence.
In recent times, the Super Eagles central defence has been manned by William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Semi Ajayi as Kenneth Omeruo and Chidozie Awaziem have fallen out of favour. Injury to the reliable Ajayi has forced the search for worthy central defenders by the national team.
It is a chance for Ogbu, 25, to grab with both hands now. Chrisantus Uche has made a name for himself on his La Liga debut with Getafe, and it is hoped he can bring this vibe to the Super Eagles midfield, so too Turkey-based Anthony Dennis.
HB Academy product Dennis joined Goztepe SK and rose through the ranks to help them gain promotion back to the Turkish Super Lig.
The goal-scoring midfielder, who is widely compared to former Super Eagles star Wilson Oruma, has thus far netted twice in the Turkish top league.
Nigeria’s home-based talent, who have been featuring in their Africa Nations Cup squad, have been rewarded for qualifying for this year’s CHAN after Niger Tornadoes midfielder Papa Daniel, Enugu Rangers defender Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, and goalkeeper Kayode Bankole from Remo Stars made the Super Eagles provisional squad. It is a huge boost for the players from the National Premier Football League leading up to the CHAN in August. — scorenigeria.com/Sports Reporter.
