Nigeria 1-1 Lesotho: West Brom’s Ajayi to the rescue as Tremendous Eagles stumble in Uyo towards Crocodiles

The three-time African champions are aiming to qualify for the World Cup for the seventh time

Nigeria did not reside as much as expectations as they solely managed a 1-1 draw with Lesotho of their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification marketing campaign, Soccernet.ng reviews.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winners have been the huge favourites towards the lowly Crocodiles. Nonetheless, Motlomelo Mkhwanazi gave the guests the lead earlier than Semi Ajayi saved Nigeria’s blushes with a late equaliser.

The way it occurred

Head coach Jose Peseiro arrange a heavily-attack-minded staff with Taiwo Awoniyi main the cost whereas Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Boniface have been to offer help in and across the field.

As anticipated, the Eagles have been on the entrance foot from the blast of the referee’s whistle, with Taiwo Awoniyi having a slight sniff of purpose within the opening couple of minutes, however the Lesotho backline snuffed out the possibility.

Regardless of Nigeria’s trade, Lesotho’s goalkeeper was not referred to as upon to make any critical save till the thirty fourth minute when Iheanacho examined his palm with a well-struck free-kick.

Moments later, Awoniyi missed one other tremendous likelihood to get Peseiro’s males in entrance after good work from Boniface, however the Nottingham Forest man sliced large with the keeper overwhelmed.

— Ibukun Aluko (@IbkSports) November 16, 2023

On the stroke of halftime, Lookman fired one other effort at purpose, but it surely was stored out as either side headed for the dressing on the break deadlocked.

The Eagles got here near the opening purpose within the opening half, but it surely was the guests who broke the impasse ten minutes into the second interval. Motlomelo Mkhwanazi beat goalkeeper Uzoho with the Crocodiles’ first shot on the right track.

Nigeria wanted an enormous response, and it arrived within the 67th minute when Semi Ajayi powered house a header off one other tremendous Iheanacho corner-kick handy the house staff the equalizer.