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 Aina’s 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.
𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐎𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬’ 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐰
— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) March 25, 2025
Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen was visibly angry on Tuesday after Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo,… pic.twitter.com/Btsd34Rry9
Nigeria’s 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 Eagles’ hopes of automatic qualification for next summer’s World Cup look slim, though they’re in with a chance of securing a play-off spot.
Speaking after the match, new Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle said: “I am so disappointed for my players, for the country, because we couldn’t do it [win against Zimbabwe].
“I don’t know the result of the other game, but I know we can go as second best.”
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.
