2026WCQ: Zimbabwe Shatter Nigeria’s Dreams, South Africa Beat Benin

In a 2026 World Cup qualifier, Zimbabwe held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday, shattering the Super Eagles’ chances of winning.

Before Zimbabwe restored its lead in the 90th minute, Victor Osimhen scored in the 74th minute.

The Super Eagles’ first four matches in the qualification race had been a 0-2 defeat over Rwanda on Friday, so they were hoping to resurrect their World Cup hopes.

In Akwa Ibom, Nigeria faced off against the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, where they had a number of chances to take the lead. However, Eric Chelle’s side was unable to find the net due to some brave defending and wastefulness from the Super Eagles.

Nigeria continued to look for a solution, but it was difficult to dismantle Zimbabwe’s defense. The Super Eagles made a breakthrough in the 74th minute, though! Osimhen likely nods home in the far post neatly to a Ola Aina low cross. The Super Eagles won 1-0!

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X@NGSuperEagles in photo

Zimbabwe almost leveled things up right away, though, after Nigeria’s defense was slowed down. The Super Eagles were only able to concede with the crossbar.

Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City struggled to place his shot well on goal, despite the Nigerian looking to score another goal. The Super Eagles later made up for it because the defense failed to stop a late Zimbabwean attack. In the 90th minute, Tawanda Chirewa broke Nigerian hearts by beating goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali in his near post!

With the draw, Nigeria are still rooted in fourth place, with seven points from six games.

In another Group C match, South Africa clinched a 0-2 victory over the Benin Republic, bringing them one step closer to the World Cup. With 13 points from six games, the Bafana Bafana are now in command of the group’s top spot. They are five points clear of Lesotho, which drew with Rwanda in second place.

Nigeria Vs Zimbabwe: Chelle Retains Starting XI, As Lookman, Osimhen Lead Attack

Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman will start for the team against Zimbabwe in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, keeping the same players who were on Friday in the win over Rwanda.

READ MORE: [World Cup Qualifiers] South Africa Risk Points Deduction For Fielding Ineligible Player vs. Lesotho

Zimbabwe’s starting XI: Nigeria

Nigeria’s starting lineup against Zimbabwe is shown below.

NCS seizes N125m worth of smuggled petrol in largest bust in recent times

About 125, 000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), valued at about 125 million, have been seized in Kebbi State by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) agents in a significant blow to fuel smugglers.

According to Persecondnews, this massive seizure, which was carried out as part of “Operation Whirlwind,” is the largest fuel bust since the initiative’s inception.

Fuel smuggling poses a significant economic threat, according to ACG Hissaini Ejibunu, the national coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, on Tuesday, contributing to revenue losses, artificial scarcity, and security risks.

According to Ejibunu, “We are committed to dismantling these smuggling networks,” “Fuel smuggling is a major economic threat.”

4 375 jerrycans, each 25 litre, and 54 200 litre drums, each contained the confiscated fuel.

Prior to being intercepted in Tsamiya, officers had been watching the trucks being loaded with the fuel. They were registered in the Republic of Benin.

The collaboration between the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) was credited with the operation’s success.

The officers’ vigilance was commended by Customs Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, who also thanked Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, the country’s top economic crime advisor, for his leadership.

Adeniyi urged Nigerians to report suspicious activity in support of Customs’ anti-smuggling efforts.

“This operation demonstrates the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration. We are still holding economic saboteurs accountable and destroying smuggling networks, Adeniyi said.

Just in: Judge hands off Natasha’s case, cites Akpabio’s petition

With the resignation of Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the legal dispute between suspended senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Nigerian Senate has taken a dramatic turn.

The judge announced that he would be stepping aside as a result of a petition that the judge filed against the judge, which alleged the judge was impartial, when the case was scheduled for hearing on Tuesday.

Egwuatu made a statement stating that he would turn over the case file to the Chief Judge, who would then designate a new judge.

The judge effectively halted the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from pursuing disciplinary actions against Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 4 according to Persecondnews’ previous reporting.

The senator is accused of breaking the Senate’s code of conduct and rules.

Egwuatu also provided the defendants with 72 hours to explain why the court shouldn’t launch an investigation into the Senator without violating the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, Senate Standing Order 2023, and Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.

He gave the defendants’ attorneys permission to use substituted means to serve legal documents on them.

The court ordered that the legal documents be delivered either by posting them on the National Assembly’s premises or by handing them over to the clerk of the assembly.

Additionally, the court mandated that the documents be made available for public viewing through at least two national newspapers.

Following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s urgent application, the interim order was issued.

The Senate Committee convened in spite of the court’s ruling, which led to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension.

Justice Egwuatu revised and revised his initial order after receiving the defendants’ requests.

He lifted the bar that the Senate could not pursue the senator’s legal challenge while the case was pending.

The court’s authority to interfere with Senate affairs was challenged by the legal team representing Akpabio, led by Mr. Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN).

Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s heated argument sparked serious allegations of sexual harassment and defamation, which escalated to serious allegations of defamation and harassment against Akpabio.

Just in: Judge hands off Natasha’s case, cites Akpabio’s petition

With the resignation of Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the legal dispute between suspended senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Nigerian Senate has taken a dramatic turn.

The judge announced that he would be stepping aside as a result of a petition that the judge filed against the judge, which alleged the judge was impartial, when the case was scheduled for hearing on Tuesday.

Egwuatu made a statement stating that he would turn over the case file to the Chief Judge, who would then designate a new judge.

The judge effectively halted the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from pursuing disciplinary actions against Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 4 according to Persecondnews’ previous reporting.

The senator is accused of breaking the Senate’s code of conduct and rules.

Egwuatu also provided the defendants with 72 hours to explain why the court shouldn’t launch an investigation into the Senator without violating the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, Senate Standing Order 2023, and Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.

He gave the defendants’ attorneys permission to use substituted means to serve legal documents on them.

The court ordered that the legal documents be delivered either by posting them on the National Assembly’s premises or by handing them over to the clerk of the assembly.

Additionally, the court mandated that the documents be made available for public viewing through at least two national newspapers.

Following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s urgent application, the interim order was issued.

The Senate Committee convened in spite of the court’s ruling, which led to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension.

Justice Egwuatu revised and revised his initial order after receiving the defendants’ requests.

He lifted the bar that the Senate could not pursue the senator’s legal challenge while the case was pending.

The court’s authority to interfere with Senate affairs was challenged by the legal team representing Akpabio, led by Mr. Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN).

Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s heated argument sparked serious allegations of sexual harassment and defamation, which escalated to serious allegations of defamation and harassment against Akpabio.

UBA Appoints Abiola Bawuah As First Female CEO For Africa Operations

Abiola Bawuah, CEO, UBA Africa

The Board of Directors of the United Bank for Africa Plc, Africa’s Global Bank, today announced the appointment of Mrs. Abiola Bawuah, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UBA Africa. Bawuah will also join the Group Board as an Executive Director, overseeing the Group’s operations across the African continent, outside Nigeria. UBA operates in 19 African countries beyond Nigeria, in addition to global operations in New York, London, Paris and the UAE. 

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