By Uzor Odigbo
Super Eagles had to rush in a goal through Semi Ajayi to save the team from another embarrassment of losing at home as they held the Crocodiles of Lesotho to a 1-1 draw in their first World Cup qualifier game at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The Super Eagles dominated the first half but Taiwo Awoniyi and Victor Boniface failed to make the dominance count. Lesotho had their goalkeeper, S.B Moerane to thank for keep them in the game as he denied the Eagles several scoring opportunities, this include a well taken free kick by Kelechi Iheanacho in the 31st minute.
Another glorious chance came in the 37 minutes, but Awoniyi with Moerane displaced, failed to tuck in the the ball to calm the nerves of the team and that of the expectant home fans.
And at the break Lesotho pushed back the Super Eagles attacks, they won a corner kick and they made Francis Uzoho, centre backs Calvin Bassey and Ajayi pay for their lack of organisation. Lesotho’s centre back Motlomelo Mkhwanazi rose above them and headed in their goal in the 56th minute.
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In the 68th minute, Ajayi headed home from Iheanacho’s corner kick to level up matters.
Desperation took over the Super Eagles as coach Jose Peseiro made a slew of changes, bringing in Ola Aina for Osayi Samuel, Joe Aribo for Jemilu Collins, Terem Moffi for Taiwo Awoniyi and Bruno Onyemachi for Fred Onyeka. But the substitutions failed to make any impact as the team was in disarray.
Peseiro, after the game said: “We were unlucky in the attack. We had 76 percent possession to their 24 percent. The had just two shots at goal.”
Lesotho top the table with South Africa and Benin Republic still to come. Zimbabwe held Rwanda to a 1-1 draw Wednesday in Kigali. They will tackle the Super Eagles next on Sunday