Zimbabwe head coach Michael Nees has warned the Nigerian National Football team to avoid underestimating his side ahead of their crucial FIFA World cup qualifier next Tuesday.
The Warriors currently occupy the sixth spot in Group C with two points, one point behind the Super Eagles who are fifth with three points.
Both sides are yet to register a win in the tournament with chances of securing qualification for next year’s showpiece event looking bleak.
Ahead of Thursday’s encounter against The Cheetahs of Benin Republic, Coach Michael Nees has stated that his side are ready to fight for maximum points in both games.
“Two difficult games, first against Benin and then Nigeria, when you consider the results and analyse the opponents.
Benin have a good quality, while Nigeria, we don’t need to talk about it, but we have to take it with positivity and self-confidence, and give everything in our power to deliver a good performance in both games,” the 57-year-old said.
Zimbabwe secured a 1-1 draw against the three-time African champions back in November 2023, but have suffered consecutive defeats to Lesotho and South Africa, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the group.
“We Have to Restart This Qualification in a Positive Way. We want to do that, to get the positive mood going, and to do everything in our power. Power to turn the table a little bit around, turn the page and move up.
That’s our approach. And now we have to look at what is the next task at hand. The next task at hand is a difficult game against Benin,” Nees continued.
The Warriors will host Benin Republic later today at their temporary home at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in South Africa, before traveling to Nigeria next Tuesday in two matches they must win to keep their chances alive.
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