Former Golden Eaglets coach Nduka Ugbade has expressed disbelief over the Super Eagles’ failure to hold onto their lead in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe, a match they were on the verge of winning last Tuesday.
Ugbade blamed the last-minute equalizer on what he called a tactical blunder by head coach Eric Sekou Chelle. He questioned the decision to substitute Victor Osimhen with another striker instead of reinforcing the defense, a move that he believes cost Nigeria crucial points.
“The way we conceded that late goal was shocking,” Ugbade said. “We did almost everything right, showed resilience, and dominated play. Osimhen, Lookman, Ndidi, and Ekong all played their part, but in the dying moments, we simply did not manage the game well.”
With Nigeria struggling in the qualifiers and South Africa gaining momentum, Ugbade believes the Super Eagles have put themselves in a tough position.
He also expressed disappointment in Samuel Chukwueze’s performance, suggesting that the winger had forgotten key tactical lessons from his youth development days under Emmanuel Amuneke and Manu Garba.
“The tactical decisions in the match were questionable,” Ugbade continued. “Osimhen is a player who keeps defenders on their toes. Replacing him with another striker instead of a defender was a mistake. We needed to shut down the game, secure the three points, and move on.”
With the race for the 2026 World Cup spot getting tighter, Ugbade has urged the Super Eagles to improve their game management and decision-making in crucial moments.
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