Super Eagles Left Stunned by 90th-Minute Equalizer After Osimhen Heroics; South Africa Extends Group Lead
A dramatic stoppage-time goal from Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa crushed Nigeria’s hopes of a crucial World Cup qualifying victory on Tuesday, leaving the Super Eagles’ 2026 dreams hanging by a thread.
Just as it seemed Victor Osimhen’s 74th-minute strike would seal back-to-back wins for Nigeria following their 2-0 triumph over Uganda, 21-year-old substitute Chirewa delivered a devastating blow in the final moments, snatching a 1-1 draw for Zimbabwe. The result leaves Nigeria stranded in fourth place in Group C with just seven points from six matches—now six points behind leaders South Africa, who cruised past Benin 2-0.
With only the group winners guaranteed automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, Nigeria’s path has grown even tougher. South Africa (13 points) now hold a commanding lead, while Rwanda and Benin lurk just behind. Even a playoff spot—reserved for the best four runners-up—seems distant for the Super Eagles, who once again failed to capitalize on Osimhen’s brilliance.
Elsewhere in African qualifying, Cape Verde tightened their grip on Group D with a 2-1 win over Angola, piling pressure on Cameroon and Libya ahead of their clash. Later fixtures saw continental heavyweights Morocco, Egypt, and Senegal in action—but for Nigeria, the focus now shifts to salvaging a faltering campaign before it’s too late.
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