The Super Eagles of Nigeria are hoping to claim a significant victory over Zimbabwe to enhance their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup when both countries clash at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo later today.
The Super Eagles, who claimed a morale boosting victory over Rwanda in Kigali on Friday will be hosting their Zimbabwean counterparts in the second of the double-header matches scheduled for the March international break.
While the Super Eagles might have claimed an impressive victory in Kigali, their poor start to the FIFA World Cup qualification series has ensured that they still occupy fourth position in the group behind the likes of South Africa, Benin and Rwanda.
Today’s encounter will offer the Super Eagles an opportunity to move up the table if they manage to secure a victory against Zimbabwe right before their supporters in Uyo.
A victory in today match can see the Super Eagles move up as far second position on the table if results from other matches in the group favour them.
Meanwhile Super Eagles’ coach, Eric Sekou Chelle has justified his decision to name the duo of goalkeeper Kayode Bankole of Remo Stars and Niger Tornadoes midfielder Papa Daniel in his final 23 man list for both games.
He made this known while speaking at the pre match conference ahead of today’s game against Zimbabwe.
He said his decision to call them up was one he has to take with his eyes on what he thinks the players will likely add to the team in the future.
”My job is to see all the Nigerian players in the world to analyze the player because this is the world cup qualifiers, after that there is the CHAN and also the AFCON afterwards. So we need to work together.
”I think there are a lot of players who can work together and bring something to our national team. But they need to work and they need to know how I want my team to play.
“So this is why I pick two players and I think they are good and they are very good for the future. But we need to work now with them. We prepare the future for now and like I said in my first press conference the time is the enemy of the coach.”
Eric Chelle also stated that he told his players he wants to win the remaining games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
“I talked to my players and I told them I want to win every game so I’m focused on the next game which is against Zimbabwe and after the game against Zimbabwe we can think about the next game.”
“But now I just want to talk about the Zimbabwe game which is the most important for my team.
“It’s just one game and we’ve done the job and I was happy for my players, happy for the country but this is just one game. After the game I said we need to be focus on the second game which is the most important now. I was proud of my players for what they did in Rwanda it was very difficult but they did the job.
“So yesterday (Sunday) we had a good training session so we need to go again to the pitch to prepare for the game tomorrow.
“It will not be easy because Zimbabwe are a good team with good players and a good coach who has a good project so we need to be focused on our team and do everything to win.”
The match is expected to commence by 5pm Nigerian time.
