Zimbabwe captain, Marshall Munetsi has played down expectations on his team ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria, insisting that the pressure is on the Super Eagles.
Zimbabwe are currently bottom of Group C with just three points from five matches, while Nigeria sit in fourth place with six points. The last time both teams met, they played out a 1-1 draw in Rwanda last November.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Monday when asked playing away in front of opposition team fans, Munetsi emphasized that his team has nothing to lose and that the pressure will be on Nigeria, who are playing in front of their home fans.
“Not really, most of our players are based in Europe, so playing away is actually more fun than playing at home. The pressure is always on the home team.
“Playing away is more fun than playing at home, the pressure is always on the home team.
“If we manage to start very well then the pressure is on them to try and get good result but for us it’s a pleasure for us to be here, it is such a nice stadium.”
Nigeria will take on Michael Nees’ side at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Tuesday in a crucial matchday six encounter.
The Super Eagles reignited their qualifying hopes with a 2-0 win over Rwanda last Friday and are looking to build on that momentum.
A win for Nigeria would see them move to nine points, keeping them in the race for a World Cup spot.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe will be desperate to turn their fortunes around and register their first victory in the qualifiers.
Elsewhere in Group C, leaders South Africa (10 points) will take on second-placed Benin Republic (8 points) in a top-of-the-table clash in Abidjan.
In another fixture, fifth-placed Lesotho will face Rwanda in Kigali.
With Nigeria needing maximum points to stay in contention, all eyes will be on Eric Chelle’s men to deliver in front of their home crowd.
