The pressure is on the Super Eagles, not us” – Zimbabwe captain Marshall Munetsi

Zimbabwe's captain, Marshall Munetsi, has downplayed the expectations surrounding his team as they prepare for an important 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria's Super Eagles.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations champions are eager to seize every available point in their quest to keep their World Cup ambitions alive. Munetsi asserts that the weight of pressure is predominantly on the Super Eagles.

At a pre-match press conference held in Uyo, Munetsi highlighted that many players in the Zimbabwean squad are based in Europe, which gives them an edge when playing away from home. “Not really,” he replied when asked about feelings of pressure. “Most of our players play in Europe, far from home, so competing away can be more advantageous for us than playing at home. The home team usually feels the most pressure.”

The former Stade de Reims midfielder emphasized that a strong start against Nigeria could shift the expectations onto the Super Eagles, particularly with their home crowd urging them to secure a victory. "If we can begin the match positively, then the pressure will be on them to deliver a favorable result,” he noted.

Munetsi also expressed his enthusiasm for playing at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, commending its atmosphere and high capacity. "It's a great experience to perform in such a well-equipped stadium. We aim to enjoy the game to its fullest," he said.

In their previous match, Zimbabwe made a notable comeback, drawing 2-2 with Rwanda after trailing 2-0. Meanwhile, Nigeria is looking to capitalize on the momentum from their last win.