Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a crucial 2-1 triumph over Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, keeping their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification ambitions alive.
The first half ended goalless, but Nigeria intensified their efforts after the break, with William Troost-Ekong and Akor Adams finding the net. Lesotho’s Hlompo Kalake pulled one back late, injecting drama into the closing moments of the match.
Here is a detailed assessment of the Super Eagles players’ performances from Soccernet.ng.
Super Eagles Player Evaluations
Stanley Nwabali 5.8/10: Nwabali had limited involvement but struggled during his few moments on the ball. His errors contributed directly to Lesotho’s goal, and a costly mistake near the end nearly allowed the visitors to equalize. The Chippa United defender’s display was below his usual standards in the national colors.
Benjamin Fredrick 6.8/10: Fredrick delivered another solid performance, standing out defensively and offering more attacking threat than his fellow center-back Bruno Onyemaechi. His composure and presence were key in the backline.
William Troost-Ekong 6.9/10: Troost-Ekong opened the scoring for Nigeria in the second half. While generally reliable, he showed moments of vulnerability when under pressure or handling the ball, which could have been costly.
Calvin Bassey 6.5/10: The Fulham defender was dependable and alert throughout, providing stability and sharpness on his flank.
Bruno Onyemaechi 6/10: Onyemaechi had a steady but unspectacular game. With limited defensive duties, he struggled to make a significant impact going forward.
Wilfred Ndidi 6.8/10: Tasked with a demanding role in a two-man midfield setup, Ndidi showed commendable work rate. Although some of his passes and decisions lacked precision, his overall contribution was impressive.
Alex Iwobi 6.8/10: Mirroring Ndidi’s effort, Iwobi battled hard in midfield. After a slow start, he found rhythm in the second half but faded towards the end. Nonetheless, his performance was solid.
Ademola Lookman 6/10: Lookman appeared off-form, struggling to beat defenders or deliver quality set-pieces. His pressing was ineffective, with his main highlight being a neat dribble and assist early in the second half. It was surprising he remained on the pitch until the 71st minute.
Moses Simon 6.4/10: Simon was lively at intervals and created Nigeria’s best chance in the first half with a dangerous cross that Arokodare failed to convert. However, he squandered a significant opportunity in the second half.
Tolu Arokodare 6.3/10: The Wolves forward had an unremarkable outing, lacking chemistry with Osimhen and struggling to link effectively with the midfield. It was a quiet night for him.
Victor Osimhen 7/10: Osimhen’s energy and determination were evident throughout. Although he couldn’t find the back of the net, his dynamic runs and a well-timed assist for Akor Adams’ goal highlighted his influence.
Akor Adams 7/10: Scoring on his Super Eagles debut is a memorable feat for Adams. He displayed sharpness and sound decision-making, nearly adding an assist when Simon hesitated on a shooting opportunity later in the game.
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