Nigeria Vs Zimbabwe Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | World Cup Qualifiers

Nigeria Vs Zimbabwe Preview

Tournament: World Cup Qualifiers

Date: Tuesday, March 25

Kick-off time: 16:00 GMT

Venue: Godswill Akpabio Stadium

Nigeria is set to welcome Zimbabwe in round 6 of the African World Cup Qualifiers at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Tuesday aiming to secure consecutive victories on the road.

Nigeria who were considered among the favourites to progress from the group is facing a challenging situation at the moment. They currently find themselves in the fourth position in Group C standings having gathered only six points from the opening five matches. Despite having an abundance of talent at their disposal, goalscoring has been a problem for them with the team managing to score only six goals thus far while conceding five goals. Having already secured their passage in the AFCON, they will now have to start winning more consistently to have a chance of qualifying. In the last match, they managed to defeat Rwanda thanks to a brace from Victor Osimhen who made his return to the national after injury.

Zimbabwe on the other hand have endured a tough run in the competition as they sit bottom in the table having gathered only three points from five matches. They have looked vulnerable at the back having conceded the most goals in the group with eight while their attacking strength hasn't been great either after scoring only four goals with two of them coming in the last match. In the last match, they made an excellent comeback as they came back from behind twice to draw the match. However, they will face a difficult task against a strong task ahead against a side who have got the better of them in each of the last seven encounters.

Nigeria Team News

Nathan Tella was ruled out of the qualifiers after suffering a muscle injury. Nigeria has been blessed with top strikers over the years with the latest being Victor Osimhen who is likely to start here keeping Victor Boniface on the bench. Raphael Onyedika might start here to provide more physicality in the middle of the park with Wilfred Ndidi who is the engine of the midfield in the Nigeria setup.

Zimbabwe Team News

Marvelous Nakamba who plays his trade for Luton Town has been a big miss for Zimbabwe as his presence in the midfield could have given the team more balance. However, having suffered a muscle injury he will be hoping to make his comeback in the next matches. Washington Arubi, the 39-year-old goalkeeper is expected to keep his place in the team after putting a strong shift in the last match.

Nigeria Vs Zimbabwe Predicted Lineups

Nigeria predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Nwabili

Defenders: Osayi-Samuel, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Aina

Midfielders: Onyedika, Ndidi

Attackers: Simon, Lookman, Iwobi; Osimhen

Zimbabwe predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Arubi

Defenders: Jalai, Garananga, Takwara, Lunga

Midfielders: Munetsi, Rinomhota

Attackers: Musona, Billiat, Zemura; Dube

Nigeria Vs Zimbabwe H2H Record

In the last five meetings between these sides, Nigeria has outplayed them on each occasion winning three matches and drawing another two to continue their excellent record against them.

Key players to watch in Nigeria Vs Zimbabwe

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)

Victor Osimhen had an outstanding match against Rwanda in the last match as he scored the brace to give Nigeria all three points. Appearing in his first qualifier match after being sidelined in the previous matches due to injury, he wasted no time announcing his arrival with two well-taken goals. Osimhen who plays his trade for Galatasaray in Turkey, has been nothing short of sensational this season having scored 26 goals from 30 appearances for them. He also has an impressive record for Nigeria scoring 25 goals for them in 33 matches.

Knowledge Musona (Zimbabwe)

Musona is one of the players the home side needs to be wary of as he provides the threat in the attacking areas due to his excellent pace and wonderful movements which helps him in finding himself in goalscoring areas. It was his goal in the last match which ensured Zimbabwe got away with a draw after going 2-1 down. Currently playing his trade-in with Al Okhdood in the Saudi Pro League, the forward has an incredible goalscoring ratio for the national side having scored 24 goals for them in 25 appearances.

Nigeria Vs Zimbabwe Prediction

Both sides haven't enjoyed the best of starts in the qualifiers as they find themselves fourth and sixth in the table. Nigeria on their part despite having an abundance of talent is yet to put in their brilliant best. However, they will feel confident heading into this match due to their excellent record against them and the home advantage they have on their side. Zimbabwe all they can do is maintain their defensive shape and don't allow them any clear-cut chances to have a hope of taking any points against them. We expect Nigeria to secure a dominating victory over them and take a step closer to the top.

Predicted Score: Nigeria 3-1 Zimbabwe

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