By Agencies
Zimbabwe’s rising star Tawanda Chirewa scored in the final minute to deal a major blow to Nigeria’s World Cup qualification prospects in a 1-1 draw between the teams Tuesday.
Nigeria star Victor Osimhen scored in the 74th to put the Super Eagles on course to claim just their second win in qualification Group C after Friday’s 2-0 victory over Uganda had rekindled qualification hopes.
But the 21-year-old Chirewa, a late substitute, equalized in the 90th to earn Zimbabwe a draw, its fourth from six rounds.
After six rounds of the 10-match group campaign Nigeria have slipped to six points behind leaders South Africa, who secured a 2-0 away win against Benin through efforts from Burnley striker Lyle Foster and Jayden Adams.
Nigeria, who missed out on the 2022 finals in Qatar, are fourth in the group, a point behind Rwanda and Benin.
Only the nine group winners will qualify for the expanded 48-team tournament next year.
The four best second-placed sides will play off for a spot at an intercontinental tournament which will decide the final spots in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
After failing to win their first four games in Group C, pressure had been on Nigeria and their new coach Eric Chelle to take maximum points from their two fixtures this month.
Nigeria started with purpose against Zimbabwe, forcing visiting goalkeeper Washington Arubi into six saves in the opening 10 minutes.
Osimhen, who struck both goals in the 2-0 win over Rwanda on Friday, saw a volley from an acute angle tipped behind and his header from the resulting corner brilliantly clawed away.
After Alex Iwobi and substitute Tolu Arokodare had gone close it looked like Osimhen had given the Super Eagles another vital three points when he converted Ola Aina’s cross in the 74th minute.
Zimbabwe almost levelled straight away when Nwabali failed to claim a cross from the left and Knowledge Musona stabbed against the crossbar.
And, after the Warriors silenced the Uyo crowd when Chirewa placed a calm finish under Nwabali at the death, Nigeria now need other results to go their way to force themselves back into contention.