Abati: I thought I could rattle Tinubu during media chat — but he knows what he’s doing

As the anger of Nigerian football fans hits another high after another very disappointing performance, Super Eagles Jose Peseiro has blamed long travels for yet another 1-1 draw – this time against Zimbabwe on Sunday.

The draw against Zimbabwe means Nigeria has picked up just two points from six having drawn against Lesotho in Uyo on Thursday.

Walter Musona rattled a fiery freekick a 26th minute from about 30 metres out to hand the Warriors the lead.

Kelechi Iheanacho came on as a substitute and saved the nation a massive embarrassment in the 67th minute as he  got the better of goalkeeper Bernard Donovan.

Yet despite the shambolic result, Peseiro insisted travelling to Rwanda for the match took its toll on the team.

“It was a tough, difficult trip from Nigeria in the flight, many hours, the players did not rest for quickplay at the same level.”

It was clear from the starting eleven list that Nigeria would struggle in the first half.

With the team trailing, the embattled Portuguese manager rang changes; throwing on Umar Sadiq for Terem Moffi and Jamilu Collins for Bruno Onyemaechi as he went in search for the winner.

It never happened.

“First half, very bad, second half, much better,” Peseiro said in a very charged press conference.

Tragedy

The result meant South Africa with three points remained ontop of the Group C six-nations table in spite  having played only one game.

Nigeria and Zimbabwe are second and third respectively with two points from two games played.

Fourth and fifth-placed Lesotho and Rwanda have one point each from one game played, while Benin Republic sit at the bottom of the log with no point.

Rwanda will host South Africa at the Huye Stadium in a matchday 2 encounter, while Lesotho take on Benin Republic at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa on Tuesday from 2 p.m.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resume in June 2024 with Nigeria hosting South Africa, current leaders of Group C, before travelling to an away game against Benin Republic.

Nigeria’s world cup hopes are in deep trouble.