A Closer Look at Nigeria vs Zimbabwe World Cup Qualifiers
The Nigeria versus Zimbabwe matchup in the World Cup qualifiers has been a highly anticipated event in African football. These two countries, both with rich footballing histories, will clash on the pitch to secure a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Nigeria, known as “The Super Eagles”, is one of the most successful teams in Africa. They have qualified for six out of seven previous World Cups and have reached the round of 16 three times. On the other hand, Zimbabwe, also known as “The Warriors”, has never qualified for a World Cup but has shown significant progress in recent years.
This match is set to be an exciting one as both teams are determined to make their mark on the world stage and represent Africa with pride.
Discover Nigeria vs Zimbabwe World Cup Qualifiers
As we dive deeper into this highly-anticipated matchup between Nigeria and Zimbabwe, let’s take a look at some key factors that could influence the outcome of this game.
The Rivalry Between Two African Giants
Nigeria and Zimbabwe have faced each other multiple times in various competitions throughout history. In their last five meetings, Nigeria has come out on top with four wins while one ended in a draw. However, it’s worth noting that these two teams haven’t met since 2011 when they played against each other during an international friendly match.
With both teams having different strengths and styles of play, it will be interesting to see how they match up against each other after almost a decade since their last encounter.
The Fight for Group C Supremacy
Both Nigeria and Zimbabwe are placed in Group C alongside Cape Verde and Liberia. While Cape Verde may seem like the toughest competition in this group, Zimbabwe cannot be underestimated. In their previous World Cup qualifying campaign, they narrowly missed out on a spot in the final round after losing to Senegal.
Nigeria, on the other hand, will be looking to continue their impressive record in the World Cup qualifiers and secure their spot in the final round.
The Impact of Home Advantage
As of now, it is uncertain whether these matches will take place with or without fans due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, if fans are allowed into stadiums, home advantage could play a crucial role for both teams.
Nigeria has a strong record playing at home and has always had great support from their passionate fans. This could give them an edge over Zimbabwe who will have to adjust to playing away from home.
Pros / Cons
Pros:
– An intense rivalry between two African giants
– The fight for group supremacy adds extra pressure and excitement
– Home advantage for Nigeria could play a crucial role
Cons:
– Uncertainty regarding fan attendance due to COVID-19 restrictions
– Lack of recent encounters between these two teams may lead to an unpredictable outcome
FAQs
Q: When will Nigeria vs Zimbabwe World Cup qualifiers take place?
A: The dates for these matches are yet to be announced but they are expected to take place sometime between June 2021 and November 2021.
Q: How many times have Nigeria and Zimbabwe faced each other?
A: These two teams have faced each other six times with Nigeria winning four games and one ending in a draw.
Q: Can Zimbabwe cause an upset against Nigeria?
A: With both teams having different strengths and styles of play, anything is possible in football. Zimbabwe has shown significant progress in recent years and can definitely put up a fight against Nigeria.
