2026 World Cup: Jose Peseiro explains Super Eagles slip against Zimbabwe

By Saheed Afolabi

Nigeria head coach, Jose Peseiro has explained why the national team dropped points against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The Super Eagles were far from their best as they dropped points against lowly rated Zimbabwe side in Rwanda.

Peseiro blamed fatigue accumulated from the bus ride and flight to Rwanda on the poor performance of the Eagles, admitting to a poorly played first half and the absence of key players contributed to the below par performance from the team.

“The trip from Uyo to here (Rwanda), the bus ride, flight, many hours. So I think the players didn’t get enough rest to play the level expected,” Peseiro told the media.

“First half was very bad, second half was much better but we lacked energy to push for a win.

“We missed Osimhen, Ndidi, Taiwo, Zaidu, Chukwueze but I think we had enough to beat Zimbabwe.”

Nigeria will face an herculean task to qualify for the World Cup as dropped four-point means they have to win their next two matches to stay in the frame for the qualification spot.