Nigeria began their 2026 World Cup qualifier on a shaky note after being held 1-1 by Lesotho in their Group C encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Thursday.
The crocodiles took the lead in the 56th minute, against the run of play but it was short-lived as the Super Eagles hit back 11 minutes later through defender Semi Ajayi rose to the occasion to power a header past the Crocodiles
Ranked 153rd globally, 113 below Nigeria, Lesotho sent the entire stadium into silence when they scored despite being under incessant pressure from the Eagles.
The Super Eagles enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the Group C game, but a combination of wasteful finishing and defensive heroics from the South African side made the job tough for Nigeria.
Coach Jose Peseiro’s men pressed their opponents and could have taken the lead in the 36th minute. But Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi wasted a brilliant cutback from Victor Boniface, kicking the ball inches away from goal.
About eight minutes later, Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman’s shot was tipped over the bar by the Lesotho goalkeeper, while Boniface’s downward header at the stroke of halftime posed no issues for the goaltender.
While the first half ended goalless, Nigerians resumed the second 45 minutes with more urgency. But against the run of play, Motlomelo Mkhwanaz scored for the away side in the 56th minute with their first shot on target.
With a shocking home defeat on the horizon, the Super Eagles rallied to level hostilities. But the equaliser came from an unlikely source. Semi Ajayi towered above the Lesotho defenders and headed home in the 67th minute.
Having 13 minutes left to play, Nigeria surged forward in search of a goal. Their efforts, however, failed as the Crocodiles defended gallantly to earn a historic point against one of Africa’s most decorated teams.
On Sunday, the Super Eagles, however, have a chance to get their campaign back on track when they face Zimbabwe in their second clash of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Earlier, Zimbabwe and Rwanda, who are also in Group C of the qualification campaign, drew goalless, while South Africa will take on Benin Republic in the same lot on Saturday.
