Zimbabwe’s Warriors are gearing up for a historic opportunity as they seek their first victory over the Super Eagles of Nigeria in 44 years when both teams face off at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

The highly anticipated clash, scheduled for Tuesday, serves as a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, with both nations aiming to boost their standing in Group C.

Zimbabwe's last triumph over Nigeria dates back to 1981, when they secured a home-friendly victory. However, since that historic encounter, the Warriors have struggled against the Super Eagles, failing to win in their last seven meetings.

In those seven matches, Nigeria has claimed four victories, while the remaining three fixtures ended in stalemates. Zimbabwe will be looking to break that winless streak and finally secure a long-overdue victory against their formidable West African opponents.

Historically, Zimbabwe has found it difficult to secure positive results on Nigerian soil. In their previous two competitive visits, the Warriors endured heavy defeats, first in 1989 during an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier where they lost 3-0, and later in 2005 during a FIFA World Cup qualifier, which ended in a resounding 5-1 victory for Nigeria.

The two teams last met on matchday two of the ongoing World Cup qualifying campaign, where they played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw. Additionally, a 2019 friendly encounter in Lagos failed to produce a winner, ending in a goalless draw.

Led by head coach Michael Nees, Zimbabwe is determined to rewrite history by securing a rare victory over Nigeria. However, they face a stern challenge, as the Super Eagles are equally motivated to claim all three points and strengthen their position in Group C as they continue their quest for World Cup qualification.

With both teams having so much at stake, the upcoming showdown in Uyo promises to be an intense battle, as Zimbabwe looks to break a decades-long jinx while Nigeria aims to maintain its dominance in the rivalry.