Jose Peseiro blames fatigue for Nigeria’s 1-1 draw vs Zimbabwe
Super Eagles of Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro has blamed fatigue for his sides 1-1 draw vs Zimbabwe on matchday-two of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Walter Musonda scored a 30-yard free-kick to put Zimbabwe in-front but Kelechi Iheanacho equalized for Nigeria to deny the Warriors a first win over the Eagles in 42-years.
After the match which means Nigeria have only secured two points from a possible six in the qualifying series, head coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro said the boys did not have enough rest and so could not play to the level required to seal maximum points at the Huye Stadium.
“The trip from Uyo to here (Rwanda), the bus ride, flight, many hours,” he said in his post-match press conference. “So I think the players didn’t get enough rest to play the level expected.
“First half was very bad, second half was much better but we lacked energy to push for a win.”
Not just fatigue, Peseiro also mentioned the abscense of some players.
“We missed Osimhen, Ndidi, Taiwo, Zaidu, Chukwueze but I think we had enough to beat Zimbabwe.“
The 1-1 draw vs Zimbabwe means the Super Eagles occupy second place in group C on two points behind South Africa, who will go four points clear if they beat Rwanda on Tuesday.
