The Super Eagles are determined to secure a crucial victory against the Warriors of Zimbabwe in their 2026 FIFA World Cup African Qualification Series Matchday 6 encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. With a win, Nigeria aims to climb to nine points and strengthen its chances of securing a World Cup ticket.
Team captain William Ekong emphasised the team’s focus on securing all three points, stressing that there is no room for further slip-ups. “We are looking forward to a win. At this stage, we cannot afford to drop any more points. Our aim is to take it one match at a time and hope that these points will be enough to get us the ticket,” Ekong said.
The Super Eagles currently sit in fourth place in Group C with six points, following their victory over Rwanda in Kigali. Zimbabwe, at the bottom of the table with three points, will be eager to boost their standing. Meanwhile, South Africa leads the group with 10 points, followed closely by Benin Republic with eight.
The Warriors’ 45-man contingent, led by the ZIFA Vice President, Kennedy Ndebele, landed at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo on Friday afternoon, 85 minutes after the arrival of the Super Eagles’ contingent from Kigali.
While the Warriors trained at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Sunday morning, the Super Eagles trained at the same venue in the evening, watched by some members of the NFF Executive Committee, the General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi, SSA to Mr. President Mr. Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Etubom Paul Bassey, former NFF General Secretary Barr. Musa Amadu and some officials of the NSC and the NFF.
World football-governing body, FIFA has appointed Eritrean official Teklu Mogos Tsegay as referee, with his compatriots as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official. Ghanaian Prosper Harrison Addo will be the commissioner while Paulin Ilboudo from Burkina Faso will serve as referee assessor.
Leaders South Africa, on 10 points, square up to second-placed Benin Republic, on eight points, at the Stade Félix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan in a match starting simultaneously with that of Uyo.
Lesotho, now in fifth place following their defeat by South Africa on Friday, will tackle Rwanda’s Amavubi at Kigali’s Amahoro Stadium in the last match of group C.
Corporate partners of the Nigeria Football Federation have joined the race to provide incentives for the Super Eagles to go all out for the three points when they take on the Warriors of Zimbabwe in Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African Qualification Series Matchday 6 encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.
Nigerian Breweries, through their brands Goldberg, Life Continental and Zagg Energy drink are sponsoring the Man-of-the-match award for the sum of one million naira. The dummy cheque will be presented to the winner right on the pitch immediately after the final whistle.
On their part, Carloha, official automobile company of the NFF and the National Teams, will sponsor the Chery Most Valuable Player award, also for the sum of one million naira. The dummy cheque for the amount will equally be presented to the winner on the pitch after the match.
Sports journalists attending Tuesday’s match will be saddled with the task of picking the Man-of-the-match as well as the Most Valuable Player.
The General Secretary of NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, has confirmed that the first 500 persons to buy match tickets for Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo will get a Super Eagles’ home jersey.
“We are calling on Nigerians to come out in large numbers to support the Super Eagles on Tuesday. The team needs the support. When we played Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, the Rwandans filled up the Amahoro Stadium to its full capacity. Let our people also come out in throngs and cheer the Eagles.
“We are also appealing to fans to come to the stadium in Nigerian colours. Let us fill up the stadium in green and white colours, and drum and dance to support the team.”
The NFF has also confirmed that match tickets will be available for sale on match day, with the VIP tickets going for N3000 and the regular seats for the sum of N1000 each.
Melissa Enoch
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