The Super Eagles of Nigeria commenced their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a 1-1 draw against Lesotho, Soccernet.ng reports.
Lesotho’s Motlomelo Mkwanazi secured an unexpected lead in the 56th minute from a well-executed corner kick by Tshwarelo Bereng, leaving Nigerian fans taken aback.
Semi Ajayi of West Bromwich Albion came to Nigeria’s rescue, leveling the scoreline and preventing Jose Peseiro’s side from enduring a disappointing result.
Here’s a brief assessment of the Super Eagles players in the encounter:
Francis Uzoho (7/10): The goalkeeper displayed improvement from his previous game for Nigeria, making a few crucial saves despite conceding. There might have been room for saving the goal, but overall, he showcased resilience.
Bright Osayi-Samuel (7/10): Engaged well in both defense and offense, though his positioning wasn’t consistently synchronized with teammates.
Jamiu Collins (8/10): Demonstrated versatility and aggression on the left flank, offering support both defensively and offensively. His attempts on goal, unfortunately, didn’t materialize.
Calvin Bassey (8/10): His partnership with Semi Ajayi proved effective, balancing the defensive and attacking duties admirably.
Semi Ajayi (9/10): Instrumental in Nigeria’s draw, not only scoring the crucial equalizer but also showcasing solid defense and commendable runs from the backline.
Alex Iwobi (8/10): Orchestrated the midfield well with precise passes and some attempts on goal that nearly resulted in scoring opportunities.
Frank Onyeka (8/7): Continued his impactful box-to-box performance, displaying good defensive play and effective contributions.
Ademola Lookman (7/10): Showed potential with his forward runs but lacked accuracy in crosses and passes.
Kelechi Iheanacho (6/10): Displayed moments of impact with his strikes but had periods where his presence was less felt, missing a crucial chance.
Taiwo Awoniyi (7/10): Despite limited opportunities, he displayed glimpses of impact when chances arose.
Victor Boniface (8/10): Made significant contributions, carrying on his club form for Bayer Leverkusen, although unable to convert chances into goals.
The Super Eagles’ performance against Lesotho serves as a starting point in their quest for World Cup qualification, setting the tone for their upcoming matches.
