The best attack in the world cannot score two goals against Zimbabwe

Victor Osimhen, Victor Bonfiace, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Terem Moffi, Umar Sadiq… just to name a few of Nigeria’s powerful attack. There is no other international team in the world (Brazil, France and Argentina included) who has such a high number of quality strikers as the Super Eagles. Not to mention the midfielder stars from top European clubs like Chukwueze, Iwobi, Ndidi or Tella. But it was still not good enough for Zimbabwe, as Nigeria managed only a poor draw in the second round of the World Cup qualifiers: 1-1.

Unfortunately for Nigeria, this is not their first not the biggest disappointment. In the last round, they drew 1-1 draw against lowly-rated Lesotho and everybody thought that the Super Eagles will storm down in fury at Zimbabwe in an attempt to redeem themselves. But, they failed miserably and now have only two draws from the first two games. The mighty attack was not fully healthy as Osimhen, Chukwueze and Awoniyi were injured for this one, but coach Jose Peseiro still had a lot of attackers to choose from and he chose Moffi to lead the line, with Simon and Tella left and right. It didn’t help. In the 26th minute it was 1-0 to the hosts as Walter Musona scored in the 26th minute. It took Nigeria 41 minutes to level the score through Leicester’s Iheanacho. Coach Peseiro changed all of his strikers and brought in Iheanacho, Boniface and Sadiq, but all that was good for only one goal and another disappointing draw. Without any reason, the Super Eagles just put additional pressure on themselves in a group in which only South Africa is the real opponent. In January 2024, a home win against Equatorial Guinea is a must, with or without Osimhen.

AFRICA - WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

Sunday

Burundi - Gabon 1-2 (0-1)

/Bigirimana 87 - Allevinah 35, Bouanga 83/

Mozambique - Algeria 0-2 (0-0)

/Chaibi 69, Zerrouki 80/

Zimbabwe - Nigeria 1-1 (1-0)

/Musona 26 - Iheanacho 67/

19.00: (15.0) Sierra Leone (5.80) Egypt (1.23)

19.00: (6.25) Sudan (3.50) Dr Congo (1.63)

***odds are subject to change