The Super Eagles, who were riding high after a 2-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali, were expected to dominate, but a late equaliser from Zimbabwe dashed their hopes of a crucial win.
Nigeria had taken the lead in the 74th minute when Victor Osimhen latched onto a precise cross from Ola Aina to head home.
However, Eric Chelle’s Eagles failed to close ranks, and Zimbabwe, who had posed a sporadic threat on the counter, capitalised on a defensive lapse in stoppage time.
Tawanda Chirewa slotted the ball past Stanley Nwabali at his near post, silencing the home supporters and leaving Nigeria’s qualification bid in serious jeopardy.
The result has left fans and pundits frustrated, with many calling for a reassessment of the team’s tactics and squad selection.
As pressure mounts on the Super Eagles, Boniface and his teammates will look to bounce back in their next qualifier, knowing that anything short of victory could spell disaster for their already paper-thin World Cup hopes.