By Valentine Amanze
The Nigerian Super Eagles have defeated the Lesotho national football team 4-2 in Masero in the AFCON 2021 qualifying match.
The hard-fighting Super Eagles bounced back from one goal down via a corner in the 17th minute of the game to rattle their hosts in the match played Sunday, November 17, 2019.
The Nigerian side took total control of the game when Alex Iwobi equalized in the 25th minute via an assist from Victor Osimhen.
Samuel Chukwueze made it double for Nigeria 10 minutes later through a powerful header after connecting from Osimhen.
The first half ended 2-1 in favour of Nigeria. At the resumption for the second half, the Eagles, with a well coordinated mid-field, pilled more pressure to restrict the home team in their half with the introduction of the captain, Ahmed Musa, who replaced Chukwueze in the 60th minute; as Ramon Aziz came in for Joe Aribo in the 65th minute.
The pressure paid off when
Victor Osimhen connected well from Ola Aina in the 67th minute to make it three goals for Nigeria.
Osimhen scored the fourth goal for Nigeria in the 70th minute. He was assisted by Aziz’s long range pass.
Samuel Kalu replaced Victor Moses in the
69th minute, while Lesotho’s second came from Chidozie Awazien’s own goal in the 84th minute. He was trying to clear a goal-bound shot.
With the result, Nigeria leads the Group L with six points after winning all its two matches. On Wednesday, it defeated the Squirels of Benin 2-1 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
On the Lesotho match, Super Eagles spokesman, Toyin Ibitoye, said it was not easy playing in synthetic pitch coupled with the harsh weather.
Besides, he commended the Nigerian side, which weathered the storm in the battle of Lesotho to emerge victorious.
