Nigeria's hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup were dealt a blow after Zimbabwe's last-minute equaliser left the Super Eagles struggling in Group C.

A diving header from Victor Osimhen had put Nigeria on the verge of a second consecutive win, but Tawanda Chirewa, on loan from Huddersfield, stunned the Uyo crowd with a goal in the 90th minute, beating goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

With six rounds of the 10-match group stage completed, Nigeria now find themselves six points behind group leaders South Africa, who secured a 2-0 victory over Benin thanks to goals from Burnley striker Lyle Foster and Jayden Adams.

Nigeria, who missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, are now fourth in the group, one point behind Rwanda and Benin.

Only the nine group winners will secure a spot in next year's expanded 48-team World Cup. The four best second-placed teams will enter a playoff to compete for a spot in an intercontinental tournament that will decide the final World Cup spots for the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

After failing to win their first four games in Group C, the pressure was on Nigeria and new coach Eric Chelle to secure maximum points from their two fixtures this month.

Nigeria started strongly against Zimbabwe, forcing goalkeeper Washington Arubi into six saves in the first 10 minutes. Osimhen, who scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Rwanda on Friday, had a volley from a tight angle tipped behind and saw his header from the resulting corner saved.

After Alex Iwobi and substitute Tolu Arokodare came close, Osimhen thought he had given Nigeria the win with a header from Ola Aina’s cross in the 74th minute.

Zimbabwe nearly equalised immediately when Nwabali misjudged a cross, allowing Knowledge Musona to strike the crossbar.

In the final moments, Chirewa’s calm finish under Nwabali left Nigeria needing other results to go their way if they are to stay in contention for qualification.