More pressure for the Super Eagles as Zimbabwe get extra motivation to beat Nigeria in Uyo

While Nigeria prepares to host Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25, 2025, the visitors will arrive with extra motivation as the Zimbabwean government has pledged a large cash reward to their players if they manage to defeat the Super Eagles in this important 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, Footynaija.com reports.

According to multiple reports, the Zimbabwean government has promised each player and technical staff $150,000 (about N300 million) if they manage to defeat Nigeria in Uyo.

This incentive comes on top of another $150,000 that was offered if they had beaten Benin on March 20, a game which ended in a 2-2 draw.

That means the Warriors still have $150,000 per player waiting for them if they can shock Nigeria. The country’s president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, is behind this bold reward plan. It is part of Zimbabwe’s push to qualify for their first-ever World Cup, and they believe motivation like this can make the difference.

Zimbabwe are not just going into this game as underdogs. Their 2-2 draw against Benin has kept them well in the hunt in Group C. Right now, they are at the bottom of the group with just 3 points from five matches. The Warriors know they need something special if they are going to turn things around and keep their World Cup dream alive.

In quotes revealed by Soccer24, while speaking about the qualifiers on Friday, Zimbabwe head coach Michael Nees mentioned that, regardless of the challenges ahead, the Warriors “have to take it with positivity and self-confidence, and give everything in our power to deliver a good performance…”

For Nigeria, this match is a must-win. The Super Eagles finally got their first win in these qualifiers against Rwanda in Kigali, thanks to a Victor Osimhen brace. The fans will expect another big performance in Uyo. But with Zimbabwe chasing history and boosted by a huge financial reward, the pressure on Eric Chelle’s men has gone up another notch.

This is not just about skill anymore, motivation will be huge. Zimbabwe’s players know that beating Nigeria will not only make headlines across Africa but will also put a lot of cash in their pockets.

The Super Eagles will need to show hunger and focus in front of their fans. Any slip-up could become a nightmare. But with Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, and the returning Samuel Chukwueze in the squad, Nigeria has the firepower to deliver.