Zimbabwe’s head coach Michael Nees has taken a positive view of his side's 1-1 draw against Nigeria in their recent FIFA World Cup qualifier, despite the Warriors remaining at the bottom of Group C.
The match, which was played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, looked set to end in a loss for Zimbabwe, but a dramatic 90th-minute equalizer from Tawanda Chirewa ensured the Warriors walked away with a valuable point.
Nees, whose team has yet to register a win in the qualifiers, highlighted the resilience and fighting spirit displayed by his players throughout the match. Despite Nigeria dominating for large stretches, Zimbabwe held firm, and their persistence paid off when Chirewa struck late to secure the draw.
“Regarding the match, everybody could see that it was a hard-fought battle,” Nees commented after the game. As we anticipated, we knew that Nigeria had gained confidence after their win against Rwanda, and they came into this match with high expectations to turn their World Cup qualification around. We knew the longer the game went, the more chances we would have.”
He continued, emphasising the challenging conditions Zimbabwe faced during the match.
"It was incredibly hot, with temperatures around 35°C and 90% humidity. To expect to outplay a team like Nigeria, especially under such conditions, was always going to be a tall order. But I think we showed that we are capable of playing football, and we didn’t just come here to defend”.
Keep Reading
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Bulls to charge into Zimbabwe gold stocks
- Ndiraya concerned as goals dry up
- Letters: How solar power is transforming African farms
Nees was pleased with his team's approach to the game, noting that they were aggressive from the start, despite the physical toll of playing in such a taxing environment.
“We played football and started very aggressively, even though we knew it was going to be tough,” he explained. “In the second half, we wanted to finish the job, but it didn’t work out. However, we showed resilience and played like I know my team can.”
While acknowledging the challenges of playing against a team like Nigeria, Nees emphasized the strategic nature of football.
"It’s a 90-minute match, and you can’t play high-energy football for the entire duration," he said. "Nigeria couldn’t do it when they played Cameroon, and no team can sustain that level of intensity. You have to play smart, conserve energy, and wait for your chances.”
Despite the draw, Nees was clear in his satisfaction with the performance. "We came here to win, and we believed we could do it. But in the end, I am very satisfied with how we played, and I think the performance shows we are heading in the right direction," he concluded. - Caf online
