Following a 1-1 draw with Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifier at Huye Stadium on Sunday, Zimbabwe coach Baltemar Brito expresses confidence, stating that his team should have won against the star-studded Super Eagles.
The lackluster performance by Jose Peseiro’s men resulted in a 1-1 draw against the Warriors in the second game of the qualifiers.
With just two points from a possible six, including a previous draw against Lesotho, the Eagles faced challenges. Zimbabwe took the lead with Walter Musona’s 35-yard free-kick beating Francis Uzoho in the 26th minute.
The goal gave Brito’s side the needed confidence as they contained the Eagles threat limiting them to just two shots in the first 45 minutes.
Kelechi Iheanacho drew level for Nigeria in the 67th minute as both sides settled for a draw in Rwanda.
Nonetheless, Brito bragged that his side came into the encounter with the intention of winning the game.
“They (Nigeria) are good; of course, we started the game to win. We expected to win the game. Unfortunately, we drew, but we had ambitions of winning the game,” Brito said after the game.
“The result of the game comes from the atmosphere that we’ve had from this camping. Since day one, we have felt positive vibes between the technical staff and the players.
“The players came here with open hearts to represent the country. They fought too much today, and this good performance is just about them.”
Nigeria currently sit second on the log with two points, one point behind South Africa, who face Rwanda in their second game on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe are third on the table, the same points as Nigeria.
The 2026 World Cup qualifiers resume in June 2024 with Nigeria hosting the Bafana Bafana, current leaders of Group C, before travelling to an away game against Benin Republic.
