Zimbabwe national team coach Michael Nees has expressed unwavering confidence in his squad’s ability to turn their fortunes around as they prepare for two crucial encounters against Benin and Nigeria in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Currently languishing at the bottom of Group C with just two points from four matches, Zimbabwe faces a must-win situation as they take on Benin at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa, on Thursday. After that, they will travel to Uyo, Nigeria, for an intense battle against the Super Eagles next Tuesday, a match that could define their qualification campaign.
Nigeria, on the other hand, is also under immense pressure to deliver, as they currently sit fifth in the group standings. The three-time African champions have endured a disappointing start, drawing three games and losing one, leaving them with just three points from four outings. With qualification hopes on the line, both Zimbabwe and Nigeria understand the magnitude of the upcoming clashes.
“We Have to Restart This Qualification in a Positive Way”
Despite being considered underdogs in the group, Coach Michael Nees remains optimistic that Zimbabwe can still turn things around with the right mentality and approach. Speaking to The Herald, the German tactician emphasized the importance of staying focused and maintaining a winning mindset.
“We have to restart this World Cup qualification in a positive way,” Nees said. “We want to create a positive atmosphere and give our best to turn the table around. We must turn the page and push forward.”
Nees acknowledged that the first step in this mission would be securing a strong performance against Benin before shifting focus to Nigeria. “The next task at hand is a difficult game against Benin (on Thursday), and we are fully prepared to take on that challenge.”
Since taking charge of the Zimbabwean national team, Nees has built a strong reputation, having successfully led the Warriors to qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. However, the upcoming matches present a different challenge, as Zimbabwe faces a Nigerian team packed with talent and desperate to avoid missing back-to-back World Cups.
Nigeria’s Qualification Hopes on the Line
Before locking horns with Zimbabwe, the Super Eagles will first take on group leaders Rwanda on Friday at the Amahoro Stadium. A positive result in that fixture will be crucial for Nigeria, as they look to climb the group standings and revive their qualification hopes.
With just one point separating Nigeria and Zimbabwe, both teams know that their next two matches will be critical in shaping their World Cup fate. The pressure is particularly intense for Nigeria’s new head coach, Eric Chelle, who is expected to bring immediate improvement to the struggling squad.
With a team stacked with top European-based players, Nigeria will be aiming for nothing less than maximum points from their upcoming fixtures. Anything short of victory could leave their World Cup aspirations hanging by a thread, making the clash against Zimbabwe a must-win affair for the Super Eagles.
As the race for World Cup qualification intensifies, all eyes will be on these high-stakes encounters, where Zimbabwe and Nigeria will battle for survival in the competitive Group C.
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