{"id":4402,"date":"2023-11-19T11:28:46","date_gmt":"2023-11-19T10:28:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/faca.com.ng\/web\/2023\/11\/19\/zimbabwe-vs-nigeria-2026-fifa-world-cup-qualifier-match-preview\/"},"modified":"2023-11-19T11:28:46","modified_gmt":"2023-11-19T10:28:46","slug":"zimbabwe-vs-nigeria-2026-fifa-world-cup-qualifier-match-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/faca.com.ng\/web\/2023\/11\/19\/zimbabwe-vs-nigeria-2026-fifa-world-cup-qualifier-match-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match preview"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Super Eagles of Nigeria will face the Warriors of Zimbabwe in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. SportsRation presents a preview of the matchday-two clash.<\/p>\n<h4>Match details<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Competition<\/strong>: CAF World Cup Qualifiers<br \/><strong>Match<\/strong>: Zimbabwe vs Nigeria<br \/><strong>Venue<\/strong>: Huye Stadium, Butare, Rwanda<br \/><strong>Date<\/strong>: 19 November, 2023<br \/><strong>Kick-off time<\/strong>: 2 pm (Nigerian time)<\/p>\n<p><strong>ABOUT THE MATCH\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Zimbabwe began their 2023 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a 0-0 away draw vs Rwanda at the Huye Stadium, same venue they will take on the Super Eagles who were held to a 1-1 draw in the last game.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_93461\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-93461\" style=\"width: 350px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-attachment-id=\"93461\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/sportsration.com\/unlucky-super-eagles-held-at-home-by-lesotho\/1700166144099-min-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1700166144099-min-1.jpg?fit=720%2C480&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"720,480\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Nigeria Super Eagles\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Nigeria Super Eagles Starting XI vs Zimbabwe&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1700166144099-min-1.jpg?fit=350%2C233&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1700166144099-min-1.jpg?fit=450%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-93461 jetpack-lazy-image\" alt=\"Nigeria Super Eagles\" width=\"350\" height=\"233\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1700166144099-min-1.jpg?resize=350%2C233&amp;ssl=1 350w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1700166144099-min-1.jpg?resize=450%2C300&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1700166144099-min-1.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1700166144099-min-1.jpg?resize=350%2C233&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img data-lazy-fallback=\"1\" data-attachment-id=\"93461\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/sportsration.com\/unlucky-super-eagles-held-at-home-by-lesotho\/1700166144099-min-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1700166144099-min-1.jpg?fit=720%2C480&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"720,480\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Nigeria Super Eagles\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Nigeria Super Eagles Starting XI vs Zimbabwe&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1700166144099-min-1.jpg?fit=350%2C233&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1700166144099-min-1.jpg?fit=450%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-93461\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1700166144099-min-1.jpg?resize=350%2C233&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Nigeria Super Eagles\" width=\"350\" height=\"233\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1700166144099-min-1.jpg?resize=350%2C233&amp;ssl=1 350w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1700166144099-min-1.jpg?resize=450%2C300&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1700166144099-min-1.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-93461\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nigeria Super Eagles Starting XI vs Zimbabwe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Ahead of the matchday two clash, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will start as favourites banking on their superior head to head advantage.<\/p>\n<p>In seven meetings, the Super Eagles have defeated the Warriors four times. Two games ended in draws while Zimbabwe ha a single win over Nigeria.<\/p>\n<p>Nigeria\u2019s only loss to Zimbabwe was in an international friendly back in August 1981, 42-years ago.<\/p>\n<p>For team news, Super Eagles Head Coach Jose Peseiro will be without Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi who is ruled out with injury.<\/p>\n<p>Replacing Awoniyi will feature among numerous tactical and personnel changes for the Eagles vs Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n<p>Moses Simon impressed as a substitute and so could get into the team.<\/p>\n<p>Bayer Leverkusen man Nathan Tella\u2019s direct running is another option available for the Eagles as they look to turn their possession to goals at the Huye Stadium<\/p>\n<p>For the Warriors of Zimbabwe, Brazilian coach, Baltemar Brito, may stick with the 3-5-2 formation deployed vs Rwanda.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_93474\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-93474\" style=\"width: 350px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-attachment-id=\"93474\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/sportsration.com\/setback-for-nigerias-next-world-cup-qualification-opponent-as-players-go-on-strike-over-unpaid-allowances\/zim-warriors-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?fit=794%2C537&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"794,537\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Zimbabwe\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;The Warriors of Zimbabwe&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?fit=350%2C237&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?fit=450%2C304&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-93474 jetpack-lazy-image\" alt=\"Nigeria's next opponent Zimbabwe\" width=\"350\" height=\"237\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?resize=350%2C237&amp;ssl=1 350w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?resize=450%2C304&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?resize=768%2C519&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?resize=220%2C150&amp;ssl=1 220w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?w=794&amp;ssl=1 794w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?resize=350%2C237&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img data-lazy-fallback=\"1\" data-attachment-id=\"93474\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/sportsration.com\/setback-for-nigerias-next-world-cup-qualification-opponent-as-players-go-on-strike-over-unpaid-allowances\/zim-warriors-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?fit=794%2C537&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"794,537\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Zimbabwe\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;The Warriors of Zimbabwe&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?fit=350%2C237&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?fit=450%2C304&amp;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-93474\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?resize=350%2C237&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Nigeria's next opponent Zimbabwe\" width=\"350\" height=\"237\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?resize=350%2C237&amp;ssl=1 350w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?resize=450%2C304&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?resize=768%2C519&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?resize=220%2C150&amp;ssl=1 220w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sportsration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zim-Warriors-1.jpg?w=794&amp;ssl=1 794w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-93474\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Warriors of Zimbabwe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Us-based defender, Teenage Hadebe impressed at the back vs Rwanda and will be expected to marshall the defence and shield goalkeeper Bernard Donovan Fungai, from the blazing Nigerian attack.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Zimbabwe predicted starting XI, 3-5-2:<\/strong><br \/>Donovan; Hadebe, Lunga, Mbeba; Nakamba, Takwara, Munetsi, Banda, Musona; Muskwe, Kadewere<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nigeria predicted starting XI:<\/strong><br \/>Uzoho; Aina, Bassey, Ajayi, Collins; Onyeka, Iwobi, Simon, Tella; Iheanacho, Boniface.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sportsration.com\/zimbabwe-vs-nigeria-2026-fifa-world-cup-qualifier-match-preview\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Super Eagles of Nigeria will face the Warriors of Zimbabwe in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. SportsRation presents a preview of the matchday-two clash. Match details Competition: CAF World Cup QualifiersMatch: Zimbabwe vs NigeriaVenue: Huye Stadium, Butare, RwandaDate: 19 November, 2023Kick-off time: 2 pm (Nigerian time) ABOUT THE MATCH\u00a0 Zimbabwe began their 2023 FIFA [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4403,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/faca.com.ng\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4402","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/faca.com.ng\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/faca.com.ng\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/faca.com.ng\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/faca.com.ng\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4402"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/faca.com.ng\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4402\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/faca.com.ng\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4403"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/faca.com.ng\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/faca.com.ng\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/faca.com.ng\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}