SM
Everton vs. Man City: 14 hrs 58 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
NN
World Cup Qualifying - Africa | Group Stage
Mar 25, 2025 at 4pm UK
Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium
ZN

Nigeria
1 - 1
Zimbabwe

Osimhen (74')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Chirewa (90')
Arubi (70'), Munetsi (73')

Preview: Nigeria vs. Zimbabwe - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Nigeria vs. Zimbabwe - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Tuesday's World Cup Qualifying - Africa clash between Nigeria and Zimbabwe, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Nigeria will aim to build on their momentum under Eric Chelle as they continue their mission to revive their 2026 World Cup qualification hopes when they welcome Zimbabwe to Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Tuesday.

The Abidjan-born Malian tactician made a flawless start to his tenure as Super Eagles boss last Friday, guiding them to a commanding 2-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali.


Match preview

Charged with the task of reigniting Nigeria's faltering campaign, Chelle ensured his debut on the touchline was one to remember, delivering the team's first win of the qualifiers after a frustrating run of four winless games.

The three-time AFCON champions had scraped together just three draws from those outings, with frustrations boiling over, especially after a shock 2-1 defeat to Benin in June 2024.

That loss led to the departure of former coach Finidi George, who stepped down amid scrutiny over the team's struggles and a reported fallout with the nation's football federation.

The turbulence deepened with the controversy surrounding Victor Osimhen, who missed all previous qualifiers and openly expressed displeasure over an alleged remark from Finidi questioning his commitment.

Back in action and fully fit last Friday, Osimhen wasted no time reminding Nigerians of what they had been missing, netting a brace that propelled the African giants up to fourth in Group C, as they now set their sights on another crucial result against Zimbabwe.

With six points, two behind second-placed Benin Republic and four adrift of leaders South Africa, Nigeria know that any slip-up could prove costly, making Tuesday's fixture a must-win as they aim to build momentum in their push for a place at the 2026 mundial.

This will be the fourth World Cup qualifier meeting between the two sides, with the Super Eagles emerging victorious in two of the previous three encounters, though their most recent clash ended in a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture of this campaign.

Zimbabwe enter the contest on the back of a spirited fightback that saw them recover from a two-goal deficit to salvage a 2-2 draw against Benin last Thursday, courtesy of goals from Marshall Munetsi and Knowledge Musona.

Despite their resilience, Michael Nees's men remain rooted at the foot of the table, still searching for their first win of the campaign, having managed just three points from three draws.

The Warriors's struggles largely stem from a leaky defence that has shipped a group-high eight goals, while their attack has also lacked bite, finding the net only four times.

That backline will face a stern test against a Nigerian side boasting one of the continent's most formidable attacking duos in current African Best Player Ademola Lookman and the prolific Osimhen, who claimed the prestigious award the previous year.

Zimbabwe's overall form does not inspire much confidence either, as they are now winless in five games, with two draws and three defeats, a dismal run they must halt if they are to keep any hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup alive.

Nigeria World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:


Nigeria form (all competitions):


Zimbabwe World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:


Zimbabwe form (all competitions):



Team News

Chelle deployed his preferred 4-4-2 diamond against Rwanda and is expected to stick with the system on Tuesday, though minor adjustments in personnel could be on the cards, with Bright Osayi-Samuel a doubt after picking up a knock, which may see Ola Aina revert to his natural right-back role while Bruno Onyemaechi fills in at left-back.

Further up the pitch, tactical tweaks could be made in midfield, with Samuel Chukwueze, struggling in an unfamiliar role last time out, and may drop to the bench for Raphael Onyedika.

Meanwhile, Alex Iwobi is likely to retain his place alongside Lookman, who will operate just behind the strikers as Osimhen looks to add to his tally of 25 international goals, a figure that cements his status as Nigeria's second all-time top scorer, two ahead of Segun Odegbami and 12 behind the legendary Rashidi Yekini.

For Zimbabwe, Nees is likely to maintain the 4-2-3-1 shape used against Benin, with Khama Billiat, who became the team's joint-third most capped player after making his 57th appearance in that fixture, on the verge of surpassing Adam Ndlovu should he feature on Tuesday.

Musona's recent goal took his international tally to 25, placing him third on Zimbabwe's all-time scoring chart, nine behind A. Ndlovu in second and 12 adrift of record-holder Peter Ndlovu, as he seeks to add to his legacy in this crucial fixture.


Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Nwabali; Ekong, Bassey, Aina, Onyemaechi; Iwobi, Ndidi, Onyedika, Lookman; Simon, Osimhen

Zimbabwe possible starting lineup:
Arubi; Jalai, Garananga, Takwara, Lunga; Munetsi, Rinomhota; Musona, Billiat, Zemura; Dube


We say: Nigeria 2-0 Zimbabwe

Riding a wave of renewed momentum under Chelle, Nigeria will look to build on their resurgence, with the firepower of Osimhen and Lookman spearheading their charge.

The Super Eagles's superior record in World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe further tilts the odds in their favour, making them strong favourites to claim victory.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__568584 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2025-03-26 01:50:47:
html db last update - 2025-03-26 01:50:47 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Top 10 Nigerian footballers of all time
Amorim goes ambipedal as Man Utd 'lead race' for two-footed £70m star
How much? Barca 'put off' by €100m asking price of Chelsea-linked striker
Preview: Rwanda vs. Nigeria - prediction, team news, lineups
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool32237274314376
2Arsenal321712357273063
3Newcastle UnitedNewcastle32185961402159
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest32176951381357
5Manchester CityMan City32167962422055
6Chelsea32159856391754
7Aston Villa3215984946354
8Bournemouth321391052401248
9Fulham32139104743448
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton32121285149248
11Brentford32127135248443
12Crystal Palace321110114145-443
13Everton32814103438-438
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd32108143845-738
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs321141760491137
16Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32105174761-1435
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham3298153654-1835
18Ipswich TownIpswich3249193367-3421
19Leicester CityLeicester3246222772-4518
20Southampton3224262377-5410
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Preview: Fulham vs. Chelsea - prediction, team news, lineups

1

PF

Mohamed Salah's record vs. Leicester City

2

MS

Bayern Munich 'preparing' offer close to £60m for Aston Villa star

3

BM

Preview: Man City vs. Everton - prediction, team news, lineups

4

PM

'Intention is clear' - Mysterious Mikel delivers Partey contract update

5

'I

Preview: Sevilla vs. Alaves - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PS

Liverpool 'bombshell' alert as Mourinho 'personally requests' 27-year-old signing

7

L'

Preview: Ipswich vs. Arsenal - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PI

Preview: AC Milan vs. Atalanta - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PA

Alonso addresses Real Madrid rumours as Los Blancos 'prepare' for Ancelotti exit

10

AA


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .