Nigeria’s journey in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers began on a challenging note as they were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by underdogs Lesotho. Despite their vast superiority, the Super Eagles failed to secure a victory against Lesotho, ranked 113 places below them at 153rd globally. The Group C qualifying match took place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Thursday.
Unexpectedly, Lesotho took the lead in the 56th minute against the flow of the game. However, Nigeria’s defender Semi Ajayi stepped up just 11 minutes later, powering a header into the back of Lesotho’s net to equalize for the home team.
Throughout the Group C game, the Super Eagles dominated possession but struggled with their finishing, while Lesotho’s defense put up a resilient performance. Nigeria had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 36th minute when Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi missed a brilliant cross from Victor Boniface, narrowly failing to connect with the ball near the goal.
In the closing minutes of the first half, Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman’s shot was superbly saved by the Lesotho goalkeeper, and Boniface’s header just before halftime posed no threat to the opposing goaltender.
Despite the goalless first half,the Nigerian team started the second half with increased urgency. However, it was Lesotho who surprisingly found the back of the net against the run of play. In the 56th minute, Motlomelo Mkhwanaz capitalized on their first shot on target, stunning the Nigerian defense and giving Lesotho a shock lead.
Facing the prospect of a home defeat, the Super Eagles rallied to level the score. It was defender Semi Ajayi who emerged as the unlikely hero, rising above the Lesotho defenders to head home the equalizer in the 67th minute. With 13 minutes remaining, Nigeria pushed forward in search of a winning goal but encountered a resolute defense from the Crocodiles who held on to secure a historic point against one of Africa’s most successful teams.
Despite the disappointing draw, the Super Eagles have an opportunity to reclaim their campaign’s momentum as they prepare to face Zimbabwe in their second group stage match on Sunday. It becomes crucial for the Nigerian team to regroup, learn from their shortcomings, and deliver an improved performance in their upcoming fixture.
In Group C’s other matches, Zimbabwe and Rwanda played out a goalless draw, while South Africa will confront Benin Republic in an important clash on Saturday. With the race for World Cup qualification heating up, Nigeria will be eager to bounce back and show their true potential as they aim to secure a spot in the prestigious tournament in 2026.
