Nigeria will aim to build on their momentum under Eric Chelle as they continue their mission to revive their 2026 World Cup qualification hopes when they welcome Zimbabwe to Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Tuesday.
The Abidjan-born Malian tactician made a flawless start to his tenure as Super Eagles boss last Friday, guiding them to a commanding 2-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali. Charged with the task of reigniting Nigeria’s faltering campaign, Chelle ensured his debut on the touchline was one to remember, delivering the team’s first win of the qualifiers after a frustrating run of four winless games.
The three-time AFCON champions had scraped together just three draws from those outings, with frustrations boiling over, especially after a shock 2-1 defeat to Benin in June 2024.
That loss led to the departure of former coach Finidi George, who stepped down amid scrutiny over the team’s struggles and a reported fallout with the nation’s football federation.
The turbulence deepened with the controversy surrounding Victor Osimhen, who missed all previous qualifiers and openly expressed displeasure over an alleged remark from Finidi questioning his commitment.
Back in action and fully fit last Friday, Osimhen wasted no time reminding Nigerians of what they had been missing, netting a brace that propelled the African giants up to fourth in Group C, as they now set their sights on another crucial result against Zimbabwe.
The Super Eagles’s superior record in World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe further tilts the odds in their favour, making them strong favourites to claim victory.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
