Africa Football Discussion || Current Topic: World Cup Qualifiers - CAF.

[Adbitco]

Zimbabwe actually dominated Nigeria in front of their fans in terms of ball possession and it's quite shameful from my perspective. 6 matches played and only 7 points earned, it's remaining only 4 games and with the way they are playing they might not qualify. From all indications, the country will watch the 2026 World cup from home. If you ask me, it's even better because they will just go there to make up the numbers that's all.

[Igebotz]

The last time these two sides met was in 2019, and a lot has changed for both teams. Nigeria has more quality and squad depth than Zimbabwe, but we must also remember history before wagering.  A 0:2 handicap for Zimbabwe could be a decent value, as I don't expect many goals today. Nigeria are favorite and could snap away a lone goal win. I like your ticket.

Thanks! It didn't win, Nigeria just couldn't hold on for a few more minutes so you proved right about history. But yeah, it's not the proudest ticket I'll ever have this season but like I said, struggling to find value. Old me looks at Zimbabwe ML but new me also knows at least half the Nigerian squad and I fancy them going far (for once, I also feel like Egypt will finally make it a little better than usual, for no other reason than Salah probably his last port of call for the WC).

I got offered a ticket to the game ( State Governor paid for the whole tickets) but didn't make the trip; I haven't gone to our games for more than 10 years, even when it been hosted in my backyard. The team is not different from Chelsea; too many good players but bad mentality during games.

We're literally in one of the easiest group and should be winning those games comfortably but we're Nigeria and nothing works in this shitty country anymore. Bad lucks everywhere. Sorry for your ticket - history happened again.

[Fiatless]

However, Nigeria has broken their defense and is now leading with a 1 goal in the 74th minutes with a pass from Aina straight to Victor Osimhen who made it too easy to finish hitting the ball into the back of the  net of Zimbabwe. It's Nigeria 1 Vs 0 Zimbabwe.

After the coach took out Chukwueze, the next player he would have taken off should have been Ekong because he looked fatigued or not in the game at all. Osayi was overlapping into the attack and leaving just three men, mostly behind, which the Zimbabweans were looking to capitalize on, and they got their chance at the ending of the game, where our defenders felt the game was won and went into sleeping mode. Ekong was beaten with just one touch, and Nwabali could not keep it out.

Our chances of qualifying for the World Cup have reduced drastically.

The drive I saw in the game against Rwanda was not in this game. The Super Eagles were slow and  didn't push the attack. They got one goal and relaxed, and they paid for it by losing two points. It might sound stupid, but I have said that Nigeria shouldn't play its home games in Godswill Akpabio Stadium. The last game was a loss to Rwanda and now it's draw. NFF should check for other venues because we have other good stadiums in Nigeria.

[Solodoski]

Zimbabwe actually dominated Nigeria in front of their fans in terms of ball possession and it's quite shameful from my perspective. 6 matches played and only 7 points earned, it's remaining only 4 games and with the way they are playing they might not qualify. From all indications, the country will watch the 2026 World cup from home. If you ask me, it's even better because they will just go there to make up the numbers that's all.

Buddy, speak like you watched the game and not like you want to attack the Super Eagles because they lost. The Super Eagles dominated the game, had more shots on target, were more serious with the game, but unfortunately, all those things do not matter as long as they could not defend the lead they had. It is an unfortunate outing with a lot of missed chances, but that's football for you. When it is not your time, it is not your time, and there is nothing you can do about it. For this World Cup qualifiers, we aren't going anywhere, that's just it.

[Igebotz]

The drive I saw in the game against Rwanda was not in this game. The Super Eagles were slow and  didn't push the attack. They got one goal and relaxed, and they paid for it by losing two points. It might sound stupid, but I have said that Nigeria shouldn't play its home games in Godswill Akpabio Stadium. The last game was a loss to Rwanda and now it's draw. NFF should check for other venues because we have other good stadiums in Nigeria.

That's the only FIFA approved football stadium in Nigeria after the National stadium was vandalized few years ago and still in shitty situation because we have shitty football federation with clueless Govemment. We have other good stadiums that needs to be fixed to the FIFA required standard.

I hate to play the blame games but honestly, we have been so unlucky on that pitch- we win most of our points from away games. Time to check ourselves.

[Joca97]

Zimbabwe actually dominated Nigeria in front of their fans in terms of ball possession and it's quite shameful from my perspective. 6 matches played and only 7 points earned, it's remaining only 4 games and with the way they are playing they might not qualify. From all indications, the country will watch the 2026 World cup from home. If you ask me, it's even better because they will just go there to make up the numbers that's all.

I dont know how these happened Nigeria was expected to win easily but they struggled so much they even took the lead but ended up drawing the game. In the end this was a deserved point from Zimbabwe but as it looks now Nigeria might not get even the second place

[Stepstowealth]

That's the only FIFA approved football stadium in Nigeria...

And it is in such poor condition, nothing compared to the field the players played in in Rwanda. These players are international players mostly and they are used to playing in very good fields, the field in this our stadium is very uninspiring to play in.

I don't feel so bad though even though we're not going to make it to the World Cup because there is nothing we were going there to do other than just maybe win the country with the finest jersey again.

I hate to play the blame games but honestly, we have been so unlucky on that pitch- we win most of our points from away games. Time to check ourselves.

I noticed many Nigerian spectators in the stadium to cheer the Super Eagles, it will be very disappointing they had to leave with a draw after coming very close to celebrating a victory.

[Fiatless]

That's the only FIFA approved football stadium in Nigeria after the National stadium was vandalized few years ago and still in shitty situation because we have shitty football federation with clueless Govemment. We have other good stadiums that needs to be fixed to the FIFA required standard.

I hate to play the blame games but honestly, we have been so unlucky on that pitch- we win most of our points from away games. Time to check ourselves.

I am really shocked that Nigeria has just one FIFA-approved stadium. This means that our local league matches are played in substandard stadiums. This shows the level of rot that exists in the Nigerian sports administration. The name Godswill Akpabio sounds like a curse in the Nigerian political system. That man and his cohorts destroyed the legislative arm of the government. Maybe we should look for another stadium because the bad luck in that stadium is getting out of hand.

[Ndabagi01]

Zimbabwe actually dominated Nigeria in front of their fans in terms of ball possession and it's quite shameful from my perspective. 6 matches played and only 7 points earned, it's remaining only 4 games and with the way they are playing they might not qualify. From all indications, the country will watch the 2026 World cup from home. If you ask me, it's even better because they will just go there to make up the numbers that's all.

I dont know how these happened Nigeria was expected to win easily but they struggled so much they even took the lead but ended up drawing the game. In the end this was a deserved point from Zimbabwe but as it looks now Nigeria might not get even the second place

It is very sad that Nigeria had to equalize that match  after a wonderful show of performance from them till the more than the 70th minutes in the game. I was already seeing Nigeria winning that match but failed to secure a three point. I think their chances of making it to the world cup is becoming more unrealistic. The team on top of the table now is South Africa with six points clear of Nigeria and five point clear the second and third positions on their group table. I saw Nigeria as a team that can’t be defeated and will easily find their way to the World Cup easily. They can’t miss out not qualifying to the World Cup two times in succession, this has never happened before and it’ll be a big blow on Nigerians if that happens. The giant of Africa cannot keep missing out like this unless they’re not more again what they claim they are.

[Franctoshi]

That's the only FIFA approved football stadium in Nigeria after the National stadium was vandalized few years ago and still in shitty situation because we have shitty football federation with clueless Govemment. We have other good stadiums that needs to be fixed to the FIFA required standard.

I hate to play the blame games but honestly, we have been so unlucky on that pitch- we win most of our points from away games. Time to check ourselves.

I am really shocked that Nigeria has just one FIFA-approved stadium. This means that our local league matches are played in substandard stadiums. This shows the level of rot that exists in the Nigerian sports administration. The name Godswill Akpabio sounds like a curse in the Nigerian political system. That man and his cohorts destroyed the legislative arm of the government. Maybe we should look for another stadium because the bad luck in that stadium is getting out of hand.

Lol, which other stadium is currently of standard more than the Godswill Akpabio's stadium, and whose is gonna change the name now that him and his cohorts run the Federal government, The current governor won't dare it, rename something that he didn't build, it's currently it's impossible, and I don't believe the stadium is even our problem either, the problem is within the management of the NFF and the people that runs it. For you to see the desired result we need from the Super Eagles team, the players need to be treated well and make them to be proud to play as a Nigerian player, from the information I have, none of the European-based players would dedicate their all to play for the home team, to avoid sustaining injuries that will end up being them that will treat themselves.

[Mate2237]

Zimbabwe actually dominated Nigeria in front of their fans in terms of ball possession and it's quite shameful from my perspective. 6 matches played and only 7 points earned, it's remaining only 4 games and with the way they are playing they might not qualify. From all indications, the country will watch the 2026 World cup from home. If you ask me, it's even better because they will just go there to make up the numbers that's all.

I dont know how these happened Nigeria was expected to win easily but they struggled so much they even took the lead but ended up drawing the game. In the end this was a deserved point from Zimbabwe but as it looks now Nigeria might not get even the second place

It is very sad that Nigeria had to equalize that match  after a wonderful show of performance from them till the more than the 70th minutes in the game. I was already seeing Nigeria winning that match but failed to secure a three point. I think their chances of making it to the world cup is becoming more unrealistic. The team on top of the table now is South Africa with six points clear of Nigeria and five point clear the second and third positions on their group table. I saw Nigeria as a team that can’t be defeated and will easily find their way to the World Cup easily. They can’t miss out not qualifying to the World Cup two times in succession, this has never happened before and it’ll be a big blow on Nigerians if that happens. The giant of Africa cannot keep missing out like this unless they’re not more again what they claim they are.

Zimbabwe should be given credit for the way they performed against Nigeria because it's not easy going away to Nigeria of all places to get a favourable results because looking at the game you could see that Zimbabwe was had a good possession and made things very difficult for the Nigerian at home, I can say that Zimbabwe was not lucky because they would have won this game because I saw the opportunity that he missed when the Nigerian goal keeper could not clear the ball .



One thing with Nigeria is that anytime they get a good result in a previous game they relax and think that the game is over because this was exactly what happened here as the Nigerian players was more relaxed during the game, this is a disappointing result for the super eagles because there chances of qualifying for the world cup is gradually fading away

[Igebotz]

That's the only FIFA approved football stadium in Nigeria...

And it is in such poor condition, nothing compared to the field the players played in in Rwanda. These players are international players mostly and they are used to playing in very good fields, the field in this our stadium is very uninspiring to play in.

I don't feel so bad though even though we're not going to make it to the World Cup because there is nothing we were going there to do other than just maybe win the country with the finest jersey again.

Rwanda and South Africa are miles ahead of every country in Africa in terms of sports development; we must give them that.

Qualifying to the World cup is a thing of pride, not only to the players but to the fans as well. We missed out on the last one which wasn't good and must do everything to qualify for to next one to keep good FIFA rankings.

I am really shocked that Nigeria has just one FIFA-approved stadium. This means that our local league matches are played in substandard stadiums. This shows the level of rot that exists in the Nigerian sports administration.

Sadly, but that's the truth...

[Antotena]

It is very sad that Nigeria had to equalize that match  after a wonderful show of performance from them till the more than the 70th minutes in the game. I was already seeing Nigeria winning that match but failed to secure a three point. I think their chances of making it to the world cup is becoming more unrealistic. The team on top of the table now is South Africa with six points clear of Nigeria and five point clear the second and third positions on their group table. I saw Nigeria as a team that can’t be defeated and will easily find their way to the World Cup easily. They can’t miss out not qualifying to the World Cup two times in succession, this has never happened before and it’ll be a big blow on Nigerians if that happens. The giant of Africa cannot keep missing out like this unless they’re not more again what they claim they are.

I wasn't sad about the performance bro. This other of playing can't take us far in the world cup. It's better we lose here with some dignity left with us than go to group stage where we will meet different countries from other continent and if we loss there when things becomes serious, it will pain me even more than the one that will happen later when we final get there. If was the same way Ghana remove us , the same thing haa happen again with Zimbabwe.

I think now I can watch the world cup with rest of mind by next year. I don't have to think Osimhen will have injury, who is going to play and who is going to be substitute. I was really expecting some bangers from our boys seeing the way they were swinging balls in the training ground but on the pitch of the game, it was different as we couldn't hold down Zimbabwe that came for visitation, we just had to concede and see where it lead us back.

[Jegileman]

I dont know how these happened Nigeria was expected to win easily but they struggled so much they even took the lead but ended up drawing the game. In the end this was a deserved point from Zimbabwe but as it looks now Nigeria might not get even the second place

I don’t think Nigeria can be able to qualify for the World Cup next year. All the chances of them getting to the top of the table are all getting wasted and I don’t think that is a good one for them as the number of matches left for them is also decreasing, their chances are getting slimmer. They played well today but not as good as they did against Rwanda in their last match. Any more lose to them should just be them given all hope up on the World Cup next year.

Rwanda and South Africa are miles ahead of every country in Africa in terms of sports development; we must give them that.

Qualifying to the World cup is a thing of pride, not only to the players but to the fans as well. We missed out on the last one which wasn't good and must do everything to qualify for to next one to keep good FIFA rankings.

With the way we are playing now, I don’t think we can make it to the World Cup but since football is full of surprises, we might make a turnover and qualify but that is if other teams on top of us on the group fail to win their matches also. I feel it is now a thing of miracle rather than just playing the game that will give us a chance in the World Cup. If we fail to qualify, we will seriously lose our stand on the FIFA ranking and no country wants tht to happen to them.

[IceLincoln]

That's the only FIFA approved football stadium in Nigeria after the National stadium was vandalized few years ago and still in shitty situation because we have shitty football federation with clueless Govemment. We have other good stadiums that needs to be fixed to the FIFA required standard.

I hate to play the blame games but honestly, we have been so unlucky on that pitch- we win most of our points from away games. Time to check ourselves.

I am really shocked that Nigeria has just one FIFA-approved stadium. This means that our local league matches are played in substandard stadiums. This shows the level of rot that exists in the Nigerian sports administration. The name Godswill Akpabio sounds like a curse in the Nigerian political system. That man and his cohorts destroyed the legislative arm of the government. Maybe we should look for another stadium because the bad luck in that stadium is getting out of hand.

Lol, which other stadium is currently of standard more than the Godswill Akpabio's stadium, and whose is gonna change the name now that him and his cohorts run the Federal government, The current governor won't dare it, rename something that he didn't build, it's currently it's impossible, and I don't believe the stadium is even our problem either, the problem is within the management of the NFF and the people that runs it. For you to see the desired result we need from the Super Eagles team, the players need to be treated well and make them to be proud to play as a Nigerian player, from the information I have, none of the European-based players would dedicate their all to play for the home team, to avoid sustaining injuries that will end up being them that will treat themselves.

I think that Akpabio stadium has become a bad luck for us, in recent times we’ve not had a good run there Something has to be done quickly concerning our other stadiums, that Uyo is no longer Good for us (it needs deliverance).

It’s so sad we had to drop points just moments after the commentator had said “What a game for Nigeria, 2 games maximum points”.. We can blame the stadium and players not being treated well but that’s not the problem on the pitch. I watch A-Nigerian team play and I feel ashamed and sad, no matter the coach, no matter the tactics there’s this default style of playing they do, hold the ball, pass slowly and backwards pass, no sense of urgency. Only a few times you see the likes of Lookman and Moses trying to force attacks or Iwobi laying through pass which often hit the opponents. Today’s game was as a result of laxity and poor mindset (They felt they’ve won when the final whistle was not blown, so careless for a team in need of Qualifying).
The players don’t FULLY UNDERSTAND why they’re playing for Nigeria except Osimhen and maybe aina. It’s just so heartbreaking that we won’t be at the worldcup for two straight sessions with ALL THE CALIBER of players we have

[Abu-Naim]

Zimbabwe actually dominated Nigeria in front of their fans in terms of ball possession and it's quite shameful from my perspective. 6 matches played and only 7 points earned, it's remaining only 4 games and with the way they are playing they might not qualify. From all indications, the country will watch the 2026 World cup from home. If you ask me, it's even better because they will just go there to make up the numbers that's all.

I dont know how these happened Nigeria was expected to win easily but they struggled so much they even took the lead but ended up drawing the game. In the end this was a deserved point from Zimbabwe but as it looks now Nigeria might not get even the second place

Zimbabwe came well prepared for the match, they also wants to step up in the group because they are the last team in the based on points, they secured one point that serve as motivation to them today because all winning expectations goes to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in this match, but the dominance the Zimbabwe squad had in this match shows that they wanted at least a point to prove people wrong and they get it at the end.

Can we now say that Victor Osimhen is the most motivated player in the Super Eagle squad?  Because the moment he was taken off the game, the Zimbabwe team get a chance to press more because the Super Eagles were not attacking anymore, so they sit back and end up conceding a goal to draw the match which was not as expected. Nevertheless, it is not yet over for the Super Eagles of Nigeria because there are other matches to be played, but they have no reason to keep playing draw in this qualifiers because that was how they did in the last world cup qualifiers and they lost everything in the last game. I think this new coach need to keep building his team in preparation of other matches.

[snipie]

Zimbabwe actually dominated Nigeria in front of their fans in terms of ball possession and it's quite shameful from my perspective. 6 matches played and only 7 points earned, it's remaining only 4 games and with the way they are playing they might not qualify. From all indications, the country will watch the 2026 World cup from home. If you ask me, it's even better because they will just go there to make up the numbers that's all.

I dont know how these happened Nigeria was expected to win easily but they struggled so much they even took the lead but ended up drawing the game. In the end this was a deserved point from Zimbabwe but as it looks now Nigeria might not get even the second place

A very bad result for Nigeria and now they are risking to miss seriously the World Cup for the next time in a row after they missed Qatar World Cup in 2022!
Nigeria are the 4th in Group G, they are 6 points away for South Africa and with only 4 rounds left, let's assume in the best scenario that Super Eagles will manage to secure the second place and collect 19 points (won't happen by the way). Now they have to be one of the 4 best second team to play play-offs and win it to pick the last ticket. Worst of the worst, there is already 4 best teams having between 12 and 15 points), these teams needs at least 7 points in 4 games to secure a spot for play-offs. Just to remind that Nigeria has only 7 points for the moment...
I don't want to be so negative but Nigeria are required to win all the remaining games and hope for South Africa to lose because going throughout second spot will be a failure in my opinion.

[Adiljutt156]

The Super Eagles were superb in their last game against Rwanda winning by two goals to nil. They surpassed my expectations in the game with their performance. The normal result we are used to seeing is 2:1, 1:0 or 1:1 but this time was different, they won comfortably with a clean sheet. Good job to the Super Eagles and the new coach. We will assess the teams consistency in the next game to see if they will be able to maintain the same result and performance level.

We are watching match of FIFA World Cup African qualifiers and e saw match of group stage which was against Rwanda national football team and Nigeria national football team. Nigeria national football team did 2 goals in this match and Rwanda  football team could not do any goal in this match and that was very low quality performance from that team because they missed many chances and they could do goal in this match and match could be interesting but one player changed the fate of team and we saw result in the favour of Nigeria  football team.Nigeria team is still at lower level because that team has 6 points on the table and Rwanda team has 7 points on the table.

[AYOBA]

It is very sad that Nigeria had to equalize that match  after a wonderful show of performance from them till the more than the 70th minutes in the game. I was already seeing Nigeria winning that match but failed to secure a three point. I think their chances of making it to the world cup is becoming more unrealistic. The team on top of the table now is South Africa with six points clear of Nigeria and five point clear the second and third positions on their group table. I saw Nigeria as a team that can’t be defeated and will easily find their way to the World Cup easily. They can’t miss out not qualifying to the World Cup two times in succession, this has never happened before and it’ll be a big blow on Nigerians if that happens. The giant of Africa cannot keep missing out like this unless they’re not more again what they claim they are.

Honestly, a very disappointing result from the Nigerians after has a wonderful performances with consecutive goals in the 74 minutes of time, but due to their inconsistency, their opponents, Zimbabwe, were able to equalize back in the 90 minutes, and if it weren't for Osimhen, who always put in much effort to be in front and bring out a positive results, they wouldn't have had any goals yet.

The way they started this season with great performances, I don’t think they will be a team that can find them easily to win, as the Nigerian team has a full squad that can maintain every one of the team's positions, but they were about to lose a guard; they need to make their performances so strong so that they can’t miss out on qualifying for this World Cup this season.

[Stable090]

I dont know how these happened Nigeria was expected to win easily but they struggled so much they even took the lead but ended up drawing the game. In the end this was a deserved point from Zimbabwe but as it looks now Nigeria might not get even the second place

Seriously today’s match was surprising to me also, I was thinking the super eagles will be able to get a win in their match match today, since they played well against Rwanda, and they secured 3 points in the match, I was expecting similar thing to happen today, but the super eagles couldn’t get a win in todays match, Zimbabwe equalized todays the ending of the second half which I was shocked to see, I was thinking the super eagles will be able to maintain their one goal lead, but they couldn’t.

I haven’t completely given up on the eagles yet, let’s see if the will be able to get the second position, if they can get a win in all the matches which they are having left, then they shouldn’t be able to achieve that, but the main question is will the super eagles win all the matches they are having left.