Nigeria’s Super Eagles missed out on a crucial win in their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe after conceding a late goal. Coach Eric Chelle pointed out that his players need to improve their ability to control the game when leading.

The Super Eagles took the lead in the 74th minute when Victor Osimhen found the back of the net. However, they were unable to hold on, as Zimbabwe equalized in the 90th minute through a goal from Chirewa. This late setback left Chelle frustrated.

Speaking after the match, Chelle admitted that his team struggled to maintain their focus. He suggested that fatigue played a role in their defensive lapse, allowing Zimbabwe to score.

He said;

“The players might have been a little tired, and this led to a lapse in concentration, which cost us the goal,”

Chelle emphasized that his team must learn how to manage games better, especially when leading. He noted that while the Super Eagles played well in the first half, they could not maintain the same energy in the later stages.

“It’s hard for me to analyze the game fully right now because, honestly, I feel we deserved to win,” Chelle stated. “We created chances, we were aggressive, and we played well in the first half. But we need to learn how to manage the game better when we’re ahead.”

The coach warned that at this level, losing focus even for a moment can be costly. Moving forward, he wants his team to stay sharp until the final whistle to avoid dropping points in similar situations.