'2 or 3 more minutes, we would have won' - Michael Nees boasts Warriors nearly stunned Super Eagles

Zimbabwe manager Michael Nees has boasted that the Warriors would have stunned Nigeria if more time was awarded due to stoppages. 

The Warriors, bottom of Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with four points after six games, caused a sensation by holding the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium n Uyo on Tuesday evening.

Victor Osimhen's headed goal in the 74th minute finally broke the deadlock but Zimbabwe managed to rescue a draw in back-to-back games as Tawanda Chirewa slotted past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from an acute angle in stoppage time.

In a dramatic and hard-fought match, Michael Nees expressed pride in his team's performance against Nigeria, despite the challenging conditions.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Nees highlighted his team's determination and fighting spirit.

"They came with a little confidence and they wanted to turn the World Cup qualification around. We knew the longer the game goes, the slower they are going to get, it was exactly the way it was going," Nees explained, acknowledging Nigeria's strong start but also his team's tactical awareness.

The Super Eagles opened the scoring with sixteen minutes remaining, but Nees' side refused to back down and came close to an upset.

"Of course they scored but we showed that we don't give up. I think two, three more minutes we would have come home with a win. 

"Your team in defence was physical. One or two more attacks we could have finished the job."

Nees pointed out the extreme conditions his team had to overcome.

"We cannot come here under such conditions — 35 degrees, 90 percent humidity — to come to Nigeria and outplay them from the first to last minute. We know where we stand, but we showed we can play football."

He also made it clear that his side had come to compete, not just defend: "We didn't come here with five, six players to park the bus, we played football."

Praising his team's character and mentality, Nees noted: "They started very aggressive and wanted to finish the business, it didn't work out. We showed resilience; our team actually played like I know."

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com