World Cup
Zimbabwe midfielder, Rinomhota dreams of away win in Nigeria
As the Warriors of Zimbabwe brace up for the Match Day 6 encounter with Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifying series on Tuesday, one of the players, Rinomhota has already predicted an away win for the team.
The Zimbabwe Warriors have only beaten Nigeria once in eight previous encounters. The solitary win was on August 1, 1981, when the then Nigerian team, Green Eagles visited in preparation for their last World Cup qualifying duel with Algeria for the 1982 World Cup.
Zimbabwe won the match in Harare by 2-0. In subsequent seven matches, Nigeria won four and drew three, including a famous 3-0 away win in 2004 and an overwhelming 5-1 victory in Abuja in 2005.
The heatwave in Uyo has added to the heat being encountered by the bottom-placed Zimbabwe who have been without a win in the 2026 World Cup qualifying series.
According to one of Zimbabwe’s newspapers, The Herald, the
Warriors on Sunday trained under punishingly hot and humid conditions as they continued acclimatising to the sweltering climate here in Uyo.
They chose the hottest part of the day for their session and they took regular hydration breaks as they endured the intense heat at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium’s training ground.
According to the publication, temperatures in Uyo peaked at 32°C, with 40 percent humidity and a minimal wind speed of 6km/h – conditions that will persist during Tuesday’s match.
The forecast for kickoff, scheduled for 5pm Zimbabwean time (6pm local), predicts 33°C with 42 percent humidity.
With the sun expected to set just seven minutes before full-time, players will compete under similarly harsh conditions.
Midfielder Andy Rinomhota, who made his debut in the reverse fixture last November, said the Warriors were adapting well.
“I think it’s going to be quite warm and humid. We’re preparing ourselves, even though the games later.
“We had similar conditions against Cameroon last year in the AFCON qualifiers,” Rinomhota said.
“We’re trying to start the game well. Everyone is focused on acclimatising fully. The conditions are definitely on everyone’s mind.”
Rinomhota believes Zimbabwe can claim an away win, despite sitting at the bottom of Group C with just three points.
“We’re optimistic. We got a result against Nigeria last time, even though it was technically a home game in Rwanda.
“That was my first game – it was a big test, and the team did well to draw.
“This time, we want to go a step further. We respect Nigeria, but not too much. We’ll try to impose ourselves. We’ve come here to get a result and keep pushing towards our goal.”
The Cardiff City midfielder is encouraged by the growing chemistry in the squad.
“I think we’re building momentum and getting games together, and I’m confident we’ll do well.”
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World Cup
Goldberg, Life Continental & Zagg Energy drink launch ‘Operation Super Eagles Sustain the Tempo’
As Nigeria’s Super Eagles gear up for their crucial World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe in Uyo on Tuesday evening, Lead sponsor – Nigerian Breweries Plc, through its brands—Goldberg, Life Continental, and Zagg Energy Drink—is set to further energize the team by recognizing the game’s standout performer with the ‘Man of the Match’ award.
The initiative, dubbed “Operation Super Eagles Sustain the Tempo”, underscores the brands’ commitment to Nigerian football and their desire to keep the team motivated throughout the qualifying campaign.
The Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager Brands at Nigerian Breweries Plc, Olaoluwa Babalola, highlighted the significance of the initiative.
“Goldberg, Life Continental, and Zagg Energy Drink are deeply rooted in Nigerian culture, embodying values of strength, unity, and determination.
“Football is a unifying force in Nigeria, and this initiative is our way of celebrating the players who give their all for the badge. We want to see the Super Eagles dominate, and we believe this recognition will serve as extra motivation,” Babalola remarked.
Speaking on the partnership, Wasiu Ola Abiola, Head of Digital, Brand Media PR, and Sponsorships at Nigerian Breweries Plc, emphasised the company’s dedication to supporting Nigerian football at all levels.
“The Super Eagles are a source of national pride, and we believe in fuelling their passion with the energy and resilience that our brands represent. Through this ‘Man of the Match’ award, we aim to recognise excellence on the pitch while inspiring the players to keep pushing for success,” Abiola stated.
This partnership comes at a time when the Super Eagles are in a crucial phase of their World Cup qualification journey, with every game playing a pivotal role in their bid for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This initiative continues Nigerian Breweries’ long-standing tradition of backing Nigerian sports. Over the years, the company has been involved in various sponsorship deals across the national teams to grassroots football programs, strengthening its connection with the game and its passionate fans.
The brands of Nigerian Breweries Plc on February 1st, 2018 officially entered a sponsorship deal with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), for all the national teams including the women.
Since then, all the grades of the national team have had huge followership comparable to the football fan base of prominent clubs in Europe.
With the likes of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Samuel Chukwueze among the squad, the competition for the Man of the Match award promises to be intense.
The winner will receive a cash prize of One million naira with additional brand rewards to mark their performance.
As the Super Eagles take on Zimbabwe in Uyo, Nigerian fans can look forward to not just an exciting match but also the continued support of homegrown brands championing Nigerian football excellence.
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Match Day 6 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers officially get underway on Sunday, 23 March following an exciting close to MD 5 on Saturday.
CAFOnline highlights five key encounters to look out for in MD 6.
GROUP I: Madagascar vs. Ghana
Ghana, fresh off a 5-0 victory over Chad in the previous round, leads Group I with 12 points and will travel to face Madagascar, who sit in second place with 10 points.
The winner of this match will take the lead and edge closer to qualifying for the global showpiece.
GROUP C: Benin vs. South Africa
Group C of the qualifiers will witness an exciting duel between the leaders, South Africa, and second-placed Benin.
Benin, the host, will aim for three points to top the group while the Southern African nation aims to widen their gap at the top which currently sits at two points.
GROUP D: Cameroon vs. Libya
Cameroon will aim to close the gap Group D leaders, Cape Verde as they find themselves second behind them with just a point separating them, when they face Libya, who is directly behind in third place with 8 points.
A win will be vital for the Indomitable Lions if they are to stay on track towards World Cup qualification, despite the tough task ahead against a strong and resilient Libyan team.
GROUP G: Algeria vs. Mozambique
Algeria shares the top spot in Group G with Mozambique, both having 12 points, with Algeria having the advantage.
The three points in this match are highly significant for both teams, as the winner will take sole possession of the top spot and move closer to qualification.
GROUP A: Egypt vs. Sierra Leone
Egypt, who lead Group A with 13 points, will face Sierra Leone, who are in second place, tied with Burkina Faso on 8 points.
This match is crucial for Egypt’s World Cup journey, as their path to qualification could hinge on the outcome of this match.
Sierra Leone, on the other hand, will look to end Egypt’s winning streak in the qualifiers and reduce the gap by two points if they can secure victory in Egypt.
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Following the successful conclusion of Match Day 5 of the qualifiers, CAFOnline takes a look at some exciting fixtures lined up for Match Day 6 of the qualifiers set to take place between 23 – 26 March 2025.
Group A
● Egypt – Sierra Leone: Egypt, the leader of the group with 13 points, recently secured a 2-0 victory against Ethiopia, strengthening their position at the top. Sierra Leone, on the other hand, is looking to improve its standing.
● Guinea-Bissau – Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso, second with 8 points, must win to stay in the race for direct qualification. Guinea-Bissau, although ranked lower, could play the role of a spoiler. Past encounters show a slight advantage for Burkina Faso, but every match remains open.
● Ethiopia – Djibouti: Both teams, at the bottom of the standings, are not going down without a fight. Ethiopia, despite its recent loss to Egypt, is the favourite against Djibouti, which has often struggled in these qualifiers.
Group B
● Sudan vs. South Sudan: After holding Senegal to a 0-0 draw, Sudan remains at the top of Group B with 11 points. The Nile Crocodiles approach their next match against their neighbours with the ambition to assert their superiority and move closer to a historic World Cup qualification. Buoyed by positive momentum, Sudan faces a South Sudanese team still searching for its first win in these qualifiers.
● Senegal vs. Togo: As the runner-up behind Sudan, Senegal must win to secure its position. Historically, Senegal has often dominated Togo, which could influence the morale of both teams.
● Mauritania vs. DR Congo: A crucial match for both teams aiming to move up the table. DR Congo has recently shown strong performances, but Mauritania, playing at home, could surprise.
Group C
● Nigeria vs. Zimbabwe: The Super Eagles begin their comeback operation. With only 6 points, Nigeria lags in the qualification race, but their first win against Rwanda has revived confidence in the former African champions, led by Eric Chelle. Zimbabwe hopes to secure its first win in these qualifiers.
● Benin vs. South Africa: South Africa, the group leader with 10 points, aims to maintain its lead over its closest rival, Benin, with 8 points. The Cheetahs will play at home, looking to take advantage of this.
● Rwanda vs. Lesotho: Both teams, in search of points, often play close matches. Rwanda recently suffered a 2-0 loss at home to Nigeria, while Lesotho aims to capitalize on this opportunity.
Group D
● Eswatini vs. Mauritius: A match between two teams at the bottom of the standings. Eswatini has a slight advantage over Mauritius, but both will seek victory for pride.
● Angola vs. Cape Verde: Cape Verde, leading the group with 10 points, looks to consolidate its position. Angola, with the home advantage, could cause problems.
● Cameroon vs. Libya: After being held to a 0-0 draw by Eswatini, Cameroon must win to reassure itself. But Libya who are under Aliou Cissé cannot be ruled out just yet.
Group E
● Burundi vs. Seychelles: Burundi aims to capitalize on this match to improve its position. Seychelles, often struggling, will attempt to cause an upset.
● Morocco vs. Tanzania: Morocco, the group leader with an almost perfect record, aims to continue its momentum. Tanzania, although competitive, will need to outperform past performances to challenge the Atlas Lions.
Group F
● Kenya vs. Gabon: A crucial match for both teams aiming to move up the table. Gabon, one point behind leaders Côte d’Ivoire, has shown strong recent performances, but Kenya, playing at home, could benefit from the support of its fans.
● Côte d’Ivoire vs. Gambia: Côte d’Ivoire, leading with a perfect record, seeks to continue its streak. Gambia, though competitive, will need a great performance to destabilize the African champions.
Group G
● Botswana vs. Somalia: After losing 3-1 to Algeria, Botswana will look to bounce back. Somalia, on the other hand, held Guinea to a 0-0 draw, demonstrating its defensive solidity and potential to surprise in this qualification campaign.
● Algeria vs. Mozambique: Algeria, the group leader, demonstrated its superiority with a convincing 3-1 victory over Somalia in the first match day of the qualifiers. Mozambique, despite a loss to Algeria in the second matchday, will attempt to cause an upset.
● Uganda vs. Guinea: Uganda recently suffered a 3-1 defeat to Mozambique, while Guinea disappointed with a 0-0 draw against Somalia. Past encounters between these two teams have often been balanced, suggesting an intense match ahead.
Group H
● Liberia vs. São Tomé and Príncipe: After strong resistance against Tunisia, Liberia eventually lost 1-0. This leaves them in a delicate position ahead of their match against São Tomé and Príncipe, who are still seeking their first points in these qualifiers.
● Tunisia vs. Malawi: Tunisia started the qualifiers strongly with a 1-0 win over São Tomé and Príncipe. Malawi, after a 1-0 victory over Liberia, will look to continue from the confidence boosting result.
● Namibia vs. Equatorial Guinea: Namibia lost 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea on the first match day. This return match offers Namibia a chance for revenge, but Equatorial Guinea will look to repeat its victorious performance.
Group I
● Central African Republic vs. Mali: Mali began the qualifiers with a 3-1 victory over Chad, while the Central African Republic suffered a 4-2 loss to Comoros. Past encounters between these two teams are rare, making the outcome of this match hard to predict.
● Madagascar vs. Ghana: Ghana won 1-0 against Madagascar on the first match day. Madagascar will look to reverse the trend in this return match, but Ghana, with its positive historical record, is the favourite.
● Comoros vs. Chad: Comoros started the qualifiers with a 4-2 victory over the Central African Republic, while Chad lost 3-1 to Mali. Comoros, on the rise in recent years, could capitalize on its momentum to claim the win.
-CAF
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Ex-FIFA boss Blatter and France great Platini to learn fate in corruption case
Zimbabwe midfielder, Rinomhota dreams of away win in Nigeria
Goldberg, Life Continental & Zagg Energy drink launch ‘Operation Super Eagles Sustain the Tempo’
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