Nigeria are back in World Cup qualification action this afternoon as they host Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. The Super Eagles look in resurgent mood under new head coach Eric Chelle after star striker Victor Osimhen returned to fire them to a comfortable 2-0 victory away in Rwanda in his first game in charge on Friday. That was a much-needed victory for the three-time African champions, who had made a disastrous start to qualifying.
They will be strong favourites to make it successive victories and raise hopes of securing a place at next summer’s finals as they face a Zimbabwe team who sit rock bottom of Group C with no wins after Thursday’s 2-2 draw with Benin in Durban and are missing key players such as captain Marvelous Nakamba of Luton. However, Michael Nees’ side showed impressive character to fight back from a two-goal deficit to claim a point after goals from Wolves midfielder Marshall Munetsi and Knowledge Musona.
The Super Eagles look to have a fully-fit squad to choose from today after Chelle allayed any injury concerns over Osimhen and Bright Osayi-Samuel. Follow Nigeria vs Zimbabwe live below!
Nigeria vs Zimbabwe latest news
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Kick-off time: 4pm GMT | Godswill Akpabio Stadium
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How to watch: FIFA+
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Nigeria team news: Osimhen and Osayi-Samuel fit
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Zimbabwe team news: Captain Nakamba injured
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Standard Sport prediction
Nigeria team news
14:08 , George Flood
The second-half substitutions of Victor Osimhen - on a hat-trick at Amahoro Stadium - and Bright Osayi-Samuel in Kigali on Friday had led to questions over whether the pair might be injured and in danger of missing today’s visit of Zimbabwe.
However, Nigeria boss Eric Chelle dismissed any fitness concerns ahead of the game in Uyo with Fenerbahce right-back Osayi-Samuel having seemingly now shaken off a knock.
“No problem; all the players are fine and ready for the match,” he said.
How to watch Nigeria vs Zimbabwe
14:01 , George Flood
TV channel and live stream: Today’s game is being broadcast live via FIFA’s in-house streaming service, FIFA+.
It is free to watch with a registration.
Nigeria vs Zimbabwe live
13:59 , George Flood
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of today’s 2026 World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Zimbabwe in Uyo.
The Super Eagles are out to make it back-to-back wins under new head coach Eric Chelle to get their qualification bid on track after Victor Osimhen notched a brace in Friday’s much-needed 2-0 win over Rwanda in Kigali.
Zimbabwe are winless at the bottom of Group C, but showed impressive fight to come back from 2-0 down to draw with Gabon in their last outing.
Kick-off at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium is at 4pm GMT, so stay tuned for build-up, team news and live updates.
