Africa Cup of Nations outsiders Zimbabwe kept a third consecutive clean sheet in warm-up matches by drawing 0-0 with title contenders Nigeria in rain-lashed Asaba on Saturday.

Zimbabwe, who will be in Group A with hosts Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, beat Comoros 2-0 last Saturday and drew 0-0 with Zambia three days ago.

Not conceding a goal in 270 minutes will encourage coach Sunday Chidzambwa and his team before they face Mohamed Salah-inspired Egypt in the Cup of Nations opener on June 21 in Cairo.

Nigeria, who will meet Guinea, Burundi and Madagascar in Group B, dominated possession in challenging conditions at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.

But a Super Eagles attack that included Alex Iwobi of Arsenal could not find a way past giant Zimbabwe goalkeeper George Chigova.

Iwobi did come close to ending the stalemate late in the second half with a shot from outside the box that flew just above the crossbar.

In another development, Norway last night scored three first-half goals on the way to an easy win over Nigeria’s Super Falcons in their opening Group A game at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in Reims.

The 1995 world champions took the lead when Guro Reiten’s shot deflected off Onome Ebi into the net.

Lisa-Marie Utland fired through the hands of keeper Tochukwu Oluehi to make it 2-0 before an own goal by Osinachi Ohale compounded Nigeria’s misery.

Norway are level on points with hosts France, who they face on Wednesday.

Ingrid Hjelmseth, Norway’s 39-year-old goalkeeper, had little to do as Nigeria struggled to carve out chances.

On a bad night for the African champions, defender Faith Michael was carried off on a stretcher after being caught by team-mate Oluehi.

Norway show they mean business

Norway are chasing their first world title for 24 years and Martin Sjogren’s side certainly laid down a marker as they breezed past the group’s lowest ranked team at Stade Auguste-Delaune.

They are without Ada Hegerberg, the first Women’s Ballon d’Or winner, who has refused to play for the national side since 2017 after taking a stand against what she describes as a lack of respect for female players in the country.

•Based on reports by SuperSport and BBC.

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