Victor Osimhen cut a frustrated figure as Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe.
Nigeria had rekindled their 2026 World Cup qualification hopes with a 2-0 win over Rwanda last Friday and were expected to follow that up with victory at home to the side ranked 121 in the world.
The Super Eagles were on course to do just that when Osimhen broke the deadlock in the 74th minute by heading home Ola Ainaโs pin-point cross.
However, Nigeria were unable to hold on to claim just their second win in Group C as Tawanda Chirewa, on loan at Huddersfield from Wolves, equalised in the 90th to earn Zimbabwe a point and leave many inside the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium stunned.
Osimhen watched the closing stages from the sidelines after being replaced by Victor Bonafice and his reaction to the draw has gone viral on social media.
In a video clip uploaded to X, Osimhen could be seen storming off the pitch whilst having a conversation with Bonafice, though it was clear the on-loan Galatasaray striker was visibly upset with the result.
๐๐๐๐๐: ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฆ๐ก๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฌโ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฐ
โ Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) March 25, 2025
Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen was visibly angry on Tuesday after Nigeriaโs 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo,โฆ pic.twitter.com/Btsd34Rry9
Nigeriaโs result means they now trail Group C leaders South Africa by six points after they recorded a 2-0 win over Benin. With four games remaining, the Super Eaglesโ hopes of automatic qualification for next summerโs World Cup look slim, though theyโre in with a chance of securing a play-off spot.
Speaking after the match, new Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle said: โI am so disappointed for my players, for the country, because we couldnโt do it [win against Zimbabwe].
โI donโt know the result of the other game, but I know we can go as second best.โ
World Cup qualification for the Super Eagles does not resumes until September when they face Rwanda and South Africa in what is shaping up to be a crucial double-header.
