Jose Peseiro speaks on Super Eagles’ disappointing draw with Zimbabwe

The head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, has identified the main reason why his star-studded team failed to conquer their hosts, Zimbabwe, following a disappointing 1-1 draw in the second 2026 World Cup qualifier match decided in Rwanda on Sunday.

Jose Peseiro-led team has only secured two points out of six in the two World Cup qualifying matches played thus far

As in the first game of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers between Nigeria and Lesotho, Zimbabwe scored early before the Super Eagles rallied for an equalizer.

In response to the Super Eagles’ performance against Zimbabwe, coach Jose Peseiro stated that his team had lost a lot of energy owing to the long travel from Nigeria to Rwanda.

He also blamed the disappointing draw on the absence of some of his injured key players, including Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, Taiwo Awoniyi, Samuel Chukwueze, and others.

The coach said: “It was difficult and the trip from the flight to the bus, was many hours. The players have not had a good rest. The draw was better but I can’t say anything more. The first half was bad and the second half was better. The off energy from my team was much”.

He added, “Injuries can happen in the national team, Ndidi, Osimhen, Zaidu, Taiwo and a lot were missing but I think we have enough team. Somehow, it can happen but I think we have a team to beat Zimbabwe. The key point for me was the off energy”.