Another Poor Result at home.... Against semi pros from Lesotho as World Cup Qualifiers begin
Uyo, NIGERIA.... Another poor result at home. Perfect grounds, home support, European-based pros and yet Nigeria huffed and puffed to force Lesotho to a 1-1 draw as the World Cup qualifiers began. It is time for Nigeria to realize the truth that faces it. Nigeria is just not good enough. It may name a gazillions of players based in Europe but really how much better are they compared to a local bunch of players? Today, Lesotho managed by Leslie Notsi, 59, who recently was hired from Garankuwa United a semi-Pro club in Pretoria, South Africa led Lesotho to an away with a team that consisted of mostly local stars from Correctional Services, Defence Force and Bantu FC! On the Nigerian side is a vaunted European Manager and players playing at notable European clubs. Yet? Nigeria was having difficulties making any headway against the local Lesotho players. Lesotho's clubs hardly ever qualify for the league rounds of African continental club competitions!
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Nigeria is just not good enough. It may name a gazillions of players based in Europe but really how much better are they compared to a local bunch of players? Today, Lesotho managed by Leslie Notsi, 59, who recently was hired from Garankuwa United a semi-Pro club in Pretoria, South Africa led Lesotho to an away with a team that consisted of mostly local stars from Correctional Services, Defence Force and Bantu FC!
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Ranked 153 by FIFA, Lesotho started slowly as Nigeria dominated possession as expected for a quarter of an hour. However, with the all day rain and the leisurely pace of the Nigerians, it was always going to be a long day with poor result. The 10,000 spectators suffered through inefficient backwards and sideways passes with only Alex Iwobi and Semi Ajayi showing any urgency that the occasion demanded. Time after time, the skipper Kelechi Iheanacho choose to safely pass backwards or sideways when a more dangerous forward pass was demanded down the right.
Lesotho assured about the impotency of Nigeria's approach decided to venture forward after a quarter of an hour. Nigeria was fortunate as an Onyeka mistake saw the Lesotho players break forward and a strike saw Uzoho turn the ball away to safety in a great save. While Lesotho had few chances, that was enough warning of what was to come.
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The 10,000 spectators suffered through inefficient backwards and sideways passes with only Alex Iwobi and Semi Ajayi showing any urgency that the occasion demanded. Time after time, the skipper Kelechi Iheanacho choose to safely pass backwards or sideways when a more dangerous forward pass was demanded down the right.
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On the other side, Nigeria dominated possession but had few clear chances in the opening half. One came in the 26th minute when Awoniyi was presented an opportunity on a platter right in front of goal, with the goalie way off his box, but Awoniyi toe-poked the ball across into a goal kick.
Nigeria was expected to up the tempo in the second half. Instead, Lesotho had extinguished any fear of Nigeria that may have lurked. Lesotho was tossing the ball around and getting braver in possession. in the 55th minute, Nigeria conceded as the crowd went into a shell shock. A corner kick was headed into the net from close range as Nigerian defenders watched cluelessly. The minnows, indeed, some straight from training with Lesotho Correctional Services were suddenly ahead of the big-name stars from Europe.
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Nigeria kept driving for the three points but the edge was missing. The spirit was dead and the fact that it ended 1-1 was justified based on the effort on display in Uyo.
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Nigeria brought in Moses Simon and he invigorated the home team with deadly incursions from the left. Tellingly, it was his involvement that eventually led to an equalizer. A corner kick was earned from his dangerous involvement on the left and Iheanacho lifted the spot kick into the box and Semi Ajayi guided it home with a header into the roof of the net with 65 minutes expired. This was a minute after Iheanacho's connection from as Moses' cross had come off the low post.
Nigeria kept driving for the three points but the edge was missing. The spirit was dead and the fact that it ended 1-1 was justified based on the effort on display in Uyo.
RATINGS
Francis Uzoho (23) - 6.2 -- He had very little to do and saved one big Lesotho opportunity in the opening half.
Bright Osayi-Samuel (5) 6.2 -- Average display. He was feisty in the opening half but faded as the game went on. He was duly substituted later.
Semi Ajayi (6) 7.0 -- Herculean effort, constantly trying to uplift the tempo by joining the attack. He saved Nigeria's tears with a headed equalizer that crowned his day. Ended up with a caution.
Calvin Bassey (17) 6.4 -- He had little to do and did nothing remarkable but was steady except for one loss of concentration in the opening half which led to a needless concession of a throw-in.
Jamilu Collins (3) 6.2 -- He is playing for a spot on the 23-person team to the AFCON in two months and did nothing today to improve his chances.
Frank Onyeka (8) 6.2 -- He started well but it was error that nearly gifted Lesotho a goal midway into the opening half. Overall, his play was average.
Alex Iwobi (18) 6.8 -- Alex was busy as a bee and was not afraid to split the defense with passes but being played very deep in the Nigerian formation did not help Nigeria today. Otherwise, he was one of the few who was up for this game.
Ademola Lookman (7) 6.2 -- This player is truly an enigma. He never lights it up for Nigeria and sometimes you wonder why he really starts. Further, he is not all the time aware of the positioning of his team mates. Today was no different before he was rescued with a telling substitution.
Taiwo Awoniyi (12) 5.5 -- He was seemingly assured of a position going into the AFCON before today. However, he produced a dud that was so loud that no one would have flinched if he had been sent to the showers before the interval. To add to it, he fluffed a huge chance with the goalie way off his post in the 36th minute.
Victor Boniface (13) 6.2 -- He placed himself in some opportunities but on a day, without Osimhen, when he was expected to herald a great future as Nigeria's striker... he displayed disappointingly.
Subs:
Moses Simon (15) 6.5 --- He displayed the heart of a lion and new how important this game was at home and going forward. He was involved in many things that brought opportunities for Nigeria.
Joseph Aribo (10) 6.0 -- He came in but added nothing really.
Bruno Onyeamaechi (21) 6.2 -- His efforts earned a set piece on the edge of the box and he brought some spark going forward for Nigeria after replacing Collins.
Ola Aina (2) X -- Not rated because of few inconsequential minutes. Not enough to rate.
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