2026 World Cup Qualifier: Time and where to watch Zimbabwe vs Nigeria

By Monsurah Olatunji

Nigeria is set to play their second match during this international break and their second competitive game after securing a spot at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.

The Super Eagles did not qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and began its quest for the 2026 tournament with a dismal draw against the Lesotho Crocodiles.

Following their 1-1 draw with Lesotho’s Crocodiles in Uyo on Thursday evening, the Super Eagles squad arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, on Saturday, for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture against the Warriors of Zimbabwe on Sunday.

Zimbabwe on the other hand recorded an impressive 0-0 draw away against Rwanda to start their qualification campaign.

Although, Victor Osimhen, Taiwo Awoniyi, Samuel Chukwueze and Paul Onuachu are absent from the team that travelled to Zimbabwe, but coach Peseiro still has an arsenal of talents to pick from to fight against Zimbabwe.

However, the former African champions will target a fifth win in seven appearances against the Warriors with an 11-1 goal differential advantage.

With Rwanda playing a goalless draw with Zimbabwe on matchday one, the two teams are locked on one point with Nigeria and Lesotho.

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana who defeated Benin 2-1 are close favourites with Nigeria to finish ahead of Benin, Rwanda, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe in the race to qualify for the next edition of the Mundial.

Souleiman Ahmed Djama of Djibouti has been appointed as the official referee and will be supported by his compatriots Mohamed Diraneh Guedi (fourth official), Liban Abdoulrazack Ahmed (assistant referee 1), and Rachid Waiss Bouraleh (assistant referee 2).

Raphael Lyson Humba from Malawi will serve as the match commissioner, and Yohannes Ghirmai Ghebregziabher from Eritrea will serve as the referee assessor.

The 20,000-capacity Huye Stadium will host the game between the Eagles and the Warriors at 3 p.m. Rwandan time ( 2 p.m. Nigerian time) and be broadcast on FIFA PLUS and Supersport on DSTV.