Online Reporter
Warriors face Nigeria in high-stakes World Cup qualifier
The Warriors will play Nigeria this evening at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Matchday 6 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Group C match.
Kick-off is at 6 pm.
Media coverage
SuperSport TV on DStv has confirmed that it will show the game live.
The FIFA Plus App will also stream the game live, while heraldonline.co.zw will give you blow-by-blow updates of the game.
ZBC TV and SABC Sport are yet to confirm in their TV guide.
Match officials:
Eritrean officials will take charge.
Teklu Mogos Tsegay will be the centre referee, while compatriots Michael Eyobel and Sirak Samuel Mengis will be the first and second assistants respectively.
Mohammed Osman, also from Eritrea, will be the fourth official.
Ghanaian Prosper Harrison Addo will be the commissioner while Paulin Ilboudo from Burkina Faso will serve as referee’s assessor.
What the coaches said
Nigeria’s Eric Chelle: “We need to be ready for this game. I prefer to focus on my team rather than discussing weaknesses. My priority is analysing and improving.”
Warriors’ Michael Nees: “Nigeria is at the absolute top level. We cannot allow a slow start to the game to happen. We must be there from the beginning of our game. Our concentration must be there.”
Team news:
There are no changes for both sides in their squads that played last week on Matchday 5 of the qualifiers.
However, Bright Osayi-Samuel remains a doubt starter for the Super Eagles after suffering a leg injury in their match against Rwanda.
Form guide
Nigeria heads into the match sitting on position four, with one win from five games.
The Super Eagles’ only victory in the qualifiers came last week against Rwanda, where Victor Osimhen’s brace secured the victory.
Zimbabwe is at the bottom of Group C, having failed to win any of their five matches so far.
They drew 2-2 against Benin last Thursday.
Head to head
Nigeria have dominated the fixture for over four decades now.
The only time the Warriors defeated the Super Eagles was in an international friendly back in 1981.
The recent fixture, played in November 2023, ended in a 1-1 draw.
FIFA world ranking:
Nigeria: 44
Zimbabwe: 121
Rinomhota speaks on Warriors duty
Current table for Group C
Warriors face Nigeria in a must-win tie
Tadious Manyepo in UYO, Nigeria
Zimbabwe just have to beat Nigeria at the Godswill Akpibio Stadium here to retain some hope of making the cast at the 2026 World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.
As it stands, the Warriors stand very limited chances of securing a maiden spot at the global showpiece after picking just three points, seven behind Group C leaders South Africa after five matches.
Still with a mathematical chance, Zimbabwe have to resuscitate the wilting campaign against the Super Eagles in their own backyard at 6pm today.
The Warriors have never beaten Nigeria in any competition and will have to do it in front of a packed 30 000-seater facility whose entry fee has been pegged at a measly US$0.65.
Yes 65cents.
The Nigerians have six points to their name after starting their own campaign on a false note.
They have put everything in place to ensure they get the result they need so much against Zimbabwe.
The weather is punishing at 33Degrees Celsius with a 42% humidity.
The Super Eagles are used to those sweltering conditions. They are at home.
But Zimbabwe have had four days to acclimatize after touching down in the football-mad nation on Friday night.
That’s just enough in the modern world of football.
The Warriors have the talent. They have the exposure. The majority of them play at the highest level of the game in the world.
Of course Nigeria have some of the best talent like Chelsea target Victor Osimhen but Zimbabwe can counter all that.
It’s a match the Warriors know they just have to win. No two ways.
6pm Zimbabwe time is the when.
Streets in Uyo are buzzing. It’s a game the Super Eagles can’t afford to lose. Again.
Nees tweak Warriors squad
Michael Nees knows just as well that the nation is awaiting a positive result from Nigeria.
He knows Zimbabwe’s slim chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup hinges on winning the showdown against Nigeria at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
And he has made a single change to the squad that started the 2-2 draw against Benin last Thursday.
Barring any late alterations to his plans, Nees seems to have patched up Prince Dube’s place with Walter Musona with the former set to start on the bench.
Warriors Probable 11
Washington Arubi, Emmanuel Jalai, Divine Lunga, Munashe Garananga, Gerald Takwara, Marshal Munetsi, Andy Rinomhota, Jordan Zemura, Khama Billiat, Knowledge Musona, Walter Musona
The two Warriors fans Chemofella (left) and Boban who travelled to watch Zimbabwe versus Nigeria have really stolen the show at Uyo Stadium. Every man wants a piece of the two
Walter replaces Dube in Warriors Starting 11
As we said earlier, Warriors coach has made just one change from the team that started against Benin last Thursday for the Super Eagles match.
Walter Musona comes on for Prince Dube and that means former captain and Walter’s brother Knowledge will occupy the centre-forward position while flanked by Khama Billiat and Walter in Nees’ 4-3-3 structure.
Andy Rinomhota forms the base of the triangle that will have captain Marshal Munetsi operating as a box-to-box and Jordan Zemura spiking from the left side of the midfield.
Emmanuel Jalai, who won his first international cap last week against Benin retains his place at right-back with Divine Lunga operating the left-side of defence.
Munashe Garananga and Gerald Takwara form the central defence partnership and Washington Arubi guides the posts.
Warriors Starting 11 against Nigeria
Washington Arubi, Emmanuel Jalai, Divine Lunga, Munashe Garananga, Gerald Takwara, Marshal Munetsi, Andy Rinomhota, Jordan Zemura, Khama Billiat, Knowledge Musona, Walter Musona
A pitch invader managed to surmount all obstacles to have a selfie with Victor Osimhen before he was chased away as he attempted a second with Samuel Chukwueze. The network and temperatures are causing us a lot of problems though. Kick-off is drawing nearer and nearer.
Meanwhile hordes of Nigerians are still making their way into the stadium. In more ways than one, this match is being treated as a final of some sort. And it is, given the high-stakes on the table.
Nigerians pouring into the stadium
This is how Nigeria is lining up
Nigeria First 11 vs Zimbabwe
Stanley Nwabali; Ola Aina, William Troost Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi; Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon; Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimehn
Nigeria dangle N50million for MVP
The Nigerian player who will emerge as the man of the match will be given 50 million Nigerian Naira (about US$33 000), it has just been announced.
The money will come from the Nigerian Football Federation partners.
The Nigerians are so keen to win this one and put their World Cup campaign back on track.
Zimbabwe hold Nigeria
The Warriors fought back to draw 1-1 against Nigeria in a 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Okpabio Stadium in Uyo tonight.
Although Zimbabwe’s chances of securing the World Cup ticket are now even slimmer, they did show some good character when Tawanda Chirewa scored in the last minute to cancel out Victor Osimhen’s 74th minute opener.
Zimbabwe, with four points to their name, are now a massive nine points behind Group C leaders South Africa who beat Benin 2-0 in Ivory Coast.
The next round of fixtures will be played in September.
