Angry fans blast Eagles poor performance against Zimbabwe

Following yet another poor performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe, some supporters have blasted the Super Eagles once more, calling their performance a disgraceful one.

In the second qualifying round, Jose Peseiro’s team struggled to a 1-1 draw with the Warriors despite a lackluster showing.

At the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Thursday, the Eagles drew their opening game against a lowly-ranked Lesotho team, leaving them with just two points out of a possible six.

Nathan Tella made his Nigerian debut while Ola Aina, Bruno Onyemaechi, Joe Aribo, Moses Simon, and Terem Moffi were all picked in the Starting XI by Peseiro, who made six changes from the team that drew with the Crocodiles.

The Eagles were unable to get back to winning ways, so the moves had little effect on the team’s situation.

The Eagles were not in complete control, unlike their match against Lesotho, where they were dominant. However, in the fifteenth minute, they had a fantastic opportunity to score when Tella, making his debut, failed to create a good cross, and Zimbabwe cleared their lines.

After Walter Musona’s 35-yard free kick beat the goalie and gave the Warriors the lead in the 26th minute, Peseiro’s unwavering faith in Francis Uzoho backfired.

Baltemar Brito’s team needed the confidence boost after the goal, as they limited the Eagles’ threat and only allowed them to muster two shots in the first forty-five minutes.

The Portuguese strategist made three substitutions at halftime, replacing Aina, Frank Onyeka, and Tella with Bright Osayi-Samuel, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Victor Boniface.

After Zimbabwean goalkeeper Bernard Donovan fumbled the ball in the box, the three-time African champions believed they had won a penalty, but the referee gave an indirect freekick instead.

Iheanacho had a great chance to score, but the sea of yellow Zimbabwean jerseys prevented the ball from finding its way into the net.

In the 67th minute in Butare, the forward for Leicester City would not let his goal slip through.

Iheanacho scored Nigeria’s equalizer with a powerful shot past the goalkeeper thanks to Simon’s strong ball-shielding and wise decision in the box.

Even with nine minutes added to the regular time, the Eagles were unable to score the winning goal, as the Zimbabweans brilliantly held their line to earn a further point.

Some supporters reacted to the subpar performance by criticizing the Eagles’ subpar showing on social media on Sunday.

The content creator from Lagos, Omotayo, wrote, “Sack that your nonsense coach, zero shame and ambition.”

“You guys are not ashamed, better sack that man called a coach,” David Simi continued.

With a hypothetical question, “Una no get shame like this?” Sorochi Akawor posed.

Alagbe Samson thought that if the opposition had been more clinical, the Eagles might have lost.

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“Zimbabwe wasted a few opportunities toward the end of the game, including an open net opportunity,” he stated. In the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, Germany defeated Zimbabwe 5-0 in Abuja. That was the last game I can recall playing them. On head-to-head regulations, Angola defeated Nigeria to secure the ticket. The team should be better prepared for the upcoming round of games by the coaching staff.

In a playful tweet, Clement Mbanugo stated, “Price of calculator will go up due to Super Eagles supporters.” Permit me to go and dedicate my heart to something worthwhile.

Giovanni mockingly remarked, “Now change the name of the team to Super Ogbono Soup,” following two draws from two games.

Nigeria is presently two points behind South Africa, who play Rwanda in their second match on Tuesday, in second place on the log.

In June 2024, the 2026 World Cup qualifications will resume with Nigeria hosting Bafana Bafana, who are now leading Group C, before going on the road to play Benin Republic.