On Saturday, November 18, 2023, at the National Stadium in Harare, Nigerian football fans were glued to their seats as the Super Eagles battled their way to a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

The Super Eagles knew that a loss would endanger their chances of qualifying for the AFCON, therefore they entered the game under tremendous pressure. They also lost their first qualifier against Senegal.

Conversely, Zimbabwe aimed to consolidate their encouraging victory against Guinea and posed a formidable challenge to the Super Eagles.

Both sides showed their determination to attack early in the encounter, which got off to a fast start. In the tenth minute, Knowledge Musona found himself free in the area, giving Zimbabwe their first opportunity of the game, but Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama made a great stop to keep the score close.

Five minutes later, Moses Simon’s cross found Kelechi Iheanacho in the area, and the Super Eagles answered with an opportunity of their own. However, the header from the Leicester City striker flew just wide.

Finally, in the 28th minute, Tino Kadewere of Zimbabwe gave his team the lead, ending the scoreless draw. The Warriors forward beat Enyeama with a clean finish after latching onto a long pass from Knowledge Musona.

Even after being taken aback, the Super Eagles persisted. They increased their pressure throughout the second half, and in the 76th minute, Kelechi Iheanacho’s excellent header from a Moses Simon cross ultimately paid off.

The Super Eagles pushed for a victory in the last minutes as the goal sent the Nigerian fans into raptures. But the Zimbabwean defense held strong, and a 1-1 tie was the result of the game.

The Super Eagles’ sad outcome nonetheless, the draw marked a significant turning point in their pursuit of AFCON 2025 qualification.

With an equalizer from Kelechi Iheanacho, the Eagles avoid a crash landing.

The Super Eagles’ equalizer, Kelechi Iheanacho, once again proved to be the hero, saving the squad from certain defeat. The striker for Leicester City was a continuous threat to the Zimbabwean defense, and he made a good use of the opportunity to score.

Iheanacho is proving to be a vital member of the Super Eagles squad as he has been playing well lately for both club and country.

The Super Eagles Need to Reflect on Their Errors

The Super Eagles’ performance against Zimbabwe was far from flawless even after they pulled off a late equalizer. They were careless with their possessions and offered the hosts far too many opportunities.

In order to be eligible for AFCON 2025, the Super Eagles will have to play better. They need to tighten up their defense and play more clinically in front of the goal.

In summary

The Super Eagles suffered a setback but not a catastrophic blow in their 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe. The group still has power over their own fate, and they are capable of qualifying for AFCON 2025.

If the Super Eagles hope to advance far in the competition, they will need to correct their errors and step up their game.