Nigeria’s Super Eagles are gearing up for a decisive showdown against Zimbabwe’s Warriors in their 2026 FIFA World Cup African Qualifiers Matchday 6 fixture at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Tuesday, Match 25, 2025.
A victory would propel Nigeria to nine points, keeping their World Cup hopes alive and strengthening their position in Group C.
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong underlined the importance of securing all three points, stressing that the team must stay focused and take advantage of goal-scoring opportunities. He referenced their recent 2-0 win over Rwanda in Kigali as the standard they must maintain.
“We are looking forward to a win. The three points are important to us. At this stage, we cannot afford to drop any more points. Our aim is to take it one match at a time, collect three points here and there and hope fervently that these will be enough to get us the ticket,” Ekong said.
Nigeria’s qualification campaign had been in doubt after a winless streak in their first four games left them in fifth place in Group C. However, their victory in Kigali boosted their chances, moving them up to fourth place with six points.
Zimbabwe, currently at the bottom of the table with three points, will be looking to revive their campaign with an upset against Nigeria. Their 45-man delegation, led by ZIFA Vice President Kennedy Ndebele, arrived in Uyo on Saturday, shortly after the Super Eagles’ return from Kigali.
The Warriors held a morning training session on Sunday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, while the Super Eagles trained in the evening, with top football officials in attendance, including members of the NFF Executive Committee, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, SSA to the President Adeyinka Adeboye, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports Etubom Paul Bassey, and former NFF General Secretary Musa Amadu.
FIFA has appointed Eritrean referee Teklu Mogos Tsegay to officiate the match, assisted by three of his compatriots. Ghana’s Prosper Addo will serve as match commissioner, while Paulin Ilboudo from Burkina Faso will act as referee assessor.
Elsewhere in Group C, leaders South Africa (10 points) will face Benin Republic (eight points) at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan. Meanwhile, Lesotho, currently in fifth place, will take on Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
To further motivate the Super Eagles, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has partnered with sponsors to offer incentives. Nigerian Breweries, through its brands Goldberg, Life Continental, and Zagg Energy Drink, will sponsor the Man of the Match award, with a ₦1 million cash prize to be presented immediately after the game. Additionally, Carloha, the NFF’s official automobile partner, will sponsor the Chery Most Valuable Player award, also worth ₦1 million, with sports journalists selecting the winner.
In an effort to boost fan support, the NFF announced that the first 500 fans to purchase match tickets for Tuesday’s clash will receive a Super Eagles home jersey.
With the stakes high, Nigeria will be counting on home support to push them closer to securing a World Cup ticket.
