Lesotho opened the scoring through Motlomelo Mkhwanazi in the 56th minute of the game
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Super Eagles of Nigeria were on Thursday evening held to a 1-1 draw by less fancied Lesotho in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier played in Uyo.
The first half ended 0-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, as the defences of both teams won the duel.
In the second half, the visitors opened the scoring through Motlomelo Mkhwanazi in the 56th minute, making it 1-0 to Lesotho.
However, the Super Eagles levelled the score in the 67th minute, thanks to a header from defender, Semi Ajayi.
ALSO READ: Super Eagles confident of positive start as it takes Lesotho in first World Cup qualifying opener in Uyo
Neither team was able to add to their tally and the match eventually ended in a 1-1 draw after full-time, leaving both teams to share a point each.
Prior to the encounter, Nigerian coach, Jose Peseiro, had boasted that his team would cope without their missing superstars.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, he expressed optimism that the absence of some key players such as Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze will not stop his players from winning the encounter.
He said: “No Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Zaidu, and others are not fit, but I am only speaking about them because you asked me. It’s better I think about the 23 players, come with more confidence; I don’t care about the others, only I said recover well, for that I call them.
“All of them I call all the time, not only Osimhen. I call them, you work well, good job, but after that when we start the camping, our team is this team, no other team.”
Super Eagles missed a chance to qualify for World Cup Qatar 2022 edition, following a painful exit inflicted by the Black Stars of Ghana in Abuja.
Nigeria will remember this as they travel to Rwanda to face Zimbabwe in their next game on Sunday.
