Nigeria battled their way to a 2-1 victory over Lesotho in Polokwane, keeping their World Cup qualifying hopes alive, as Eric Chelle’s men mixed moments of real dominance with lapses that almost cost them the points, footynaija.com reports.
Captain William Troost-Ekong led from the front with a well-taken penalty, while Sevilla’s Akor Adams stepped off the bench to grab what proved to be the winner. Still, Lesotho’s late goal left fans uneasy.
Below are five things Nigeria got right and wrong in the encounter.
5. Osimhen’s Relentless Spirit (Right)
From the opening whistle, Victor Osimhen played like a man determined to make something happen. The Galatasaray striker’s movement caused chaos in the Lesotho defence, drawing fouls, creating chances, and hitting the goalposts twice.
His hunger to score never dipped, and even when he couldn’t find the net, he made his presence count. His assist for Akor Adams’ goal summed up that spirit. Osimhen’s effort stood out as one of Nigeria’s biggest positives.
4. Midfield Control but Poor Final Pass (Wrong)
Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi did a fine job controlling the middle of the park. They dictated play for large spells, moving the ball around with confidence and keeping Nigeria on the front foot. But when it came to the final third, things often fell apart.
Too many through passes were mistimed, crosses went astray, and promising moves fizzled out just outside the box. For a team with Nigeria’s attacking talent, the lack of killer passes was frustrating. Lesotho’s compact defence stayed firm simply because Nigeria couldn’t make their dominance count.
3. Effective Substitutions from Eric Chelle (Right)
Eric Chelle’s substitutions were spot on. Replacing Arokodare with Akor Adams gave Nigeria a sharper edge up front. Within minutes, Adams made his mark, linking well with Osimhen before finishing calmly to make it 2-0. That was a clear managerial win for Chelle.
Bringing on Samuel Chukwueze also stretched Lesotho’s defence and offered more width. Those tweaks were exactly what Nigeria needed at that stage. They are signs that Chelle is learning when to act decisively from the touchline.
2. Defensive Lapses and Late Pressure (Wrong)
For all their attacking energy, Nigeria’s defensive frailties once again showed. Lesotho’s goal came from a corner that saw confusion between Stanley Nwabali and his defenders.
Even after that, the backline looked uncertain, especially in the dying minutes when Lesotho threw everything forward. Semi Ajayi and Zaidu Sanusi were brought in late to help steady things, but the nerves were clear. Nigeria survived, but only just. That lack of coordination remains a concern for Chelle going forward.
1. Leadership and Mental Resilience (Right)
When Nigeria needed calm, Troost-Ekong provided it. His penalty was expertly placed: low, precise, and full of confidence. Beyond the goal, the captain’s voice and composure guided the team when Lesotho started growing into the game.
He organised the backline, motivated teammates, and reminded everyone to keep their focus. In the end, Nigeria’s ability to grind out the win, even under late pressure, came down to leadership and mentality.
Nigeria’s win keeps them in the race, but Chelle will know there’s still work to do. The Super Eagles showed flashes of control, yet moments of sloppiness almost turned a comfortable game into chaos. The balance between discipline and expression remains Nigeria’s next big test against Benin.
