Victor Osimhen and Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign took another hit as the Super Eagles were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
With South Africa and Benin pulling ahead in the group, Nigeria needed all three points to stay in contention. But despite taking the lead through Osimhen’s 74th-minute strike, a last-gasp equaliser from Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chiwera shattered their hopes of victory.
Now, with just seven points from six games, Nigeria sits six points adrift of group leaders South Africa.
Their qualification chances are hanging by a thread, and the fear of missing out on consecutive World Cups is becoming a harsh reality.
Osimhen: A world-class striker trapped in Nigeria’s chaos
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Victor Osimhen have something in common; both are elite strikers who have never played in a FIFA World Cup. For Aubameyang, the obstacle was Gabon’s limited footballing pedigree. For Osimhen, however, Nigeria’s failures in qualification feel inexcusable.
The Lagos-born forward played eight matches in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, scoring four goals, but it wasn’t enough to send Nigeria to Qatar as they lost to Ghana on away goals in Abuja.
Fast forward to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and misfortune is striking again. He missed the first four games due to injury, during which Nigeria failed to win a single match, drawing three and losing one.
His return on matchday five against Rwanda immediately changed the team’s fortunes. Osimhen netted a brace to lead Nigeria to their first victory of the qualification campaign. In the following match against Zimbabwe, he put the Super Eagles ahead in the 74th minute, only to be substituted in the 90th. Just two minutes after his exit, Nigeria conceded a heartbreaking equaliser, resulting in another frustrating draw.
By the time the 2026 World Cup arrives, Osimhen will be 27 years old (months away from turning 28), firmly in his prime. If Nigeria fails to qualify again, he’ll be 32 by 2030, possibly past his peak.
For a player of his caliber, who has dominated Serie A, Ligue 1, Turkish Super Lig, and established himself among Europe’s elite, the prospect of never gracing football’s grandest stage is deeply concerning.
Osimhen’s value to Nigeria extends beyond his finishing ability. He is the team’s driving force, bringing relentless energy, pressing defenders, and lifting his teammates with sheer determination.
He embodies the fighting spirit that Nigerian football was once known for, yet his efforts are often undermined by poor team performances, tactical inefficiencies, and administrative failures.
The next round of qualifiers in September presents one last chance for redemption. Nigeria must find solutions, whether through tactical adjustments, squad reshuffles, or a shift in mentality. The Super Eagles cannot afford another failure, not with Osimhen in his prime.
A player of his stature deserves to showcase his talent on the biggest stage. If Nigeria cannot deliver on that promise, it won’t just be Osimhen who suffers, it will be Nigerian football as a whole, wasting a golden opportunity to make its mark on the world stage.
