Alex Iwobi believes the Super Eagles deserved more from Thursday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture against Lesotho.
Jose Peseiro’s men held their less illustrious opponent to a 1-1 draw in the encounter played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
The Super Eagles were punished for their poor marksmanship when Motlomelo Mkhwanazi gave Lesotho the lead in the 56th minute.
The hosts rallied with West Bromwich Albion defender Semi Ajayi nodding home the equaliser 11 minutes later.
Read Also:2026 WCQ: Zimbabwe Players Boycott Training Ahead Super Eagles Clash
Iwobi claimed the result was not a true reflection of the game.
“Not The Result We Feel We Deserve, But We Can’t Dwell On This, Got Many More Games To Come… We’ll Continue To Fight And Push,” he wrote.
The Super Eagles will now shift attention to their next game in the qualifiers against the Warriors of Zimbabwe.
Sunday’s game is slated for the Huye Stadium, Butare.
Zimbabwe played out a 0-0 draw against the Amavubi of Rwanda in their first game.
By Toju Sote
17 Comments
Iwobi,
How come you guys dominate possession and create copious scoring opportunities only to convert just a meagre 1?
Do you believe in the gaffers project and philosophy? If so why are we not seeing the fruits in way of convincing wins?
As a seasoned professional, what do you think is structurally defective in Peseiro’s formation?
If you struggle against Guinea Bissau, Lesotho and Sierra Leone with this tactical approach, what chances do you think you have against formidable foes?
I am solidly behind you Iwobi and also Peseiro but so far, there seems to be a screw loose in the infrastructure of Peseiro’s formation. If you all don’t identify this tactical missing screw, then the entire edifice of our ambitions will come crashing down in spectacular fashion in games to come.
Well said
Peseiro’s Super Eagles are creating chances but they are not converting the chances.
This is what he needs to address with greater communication and chemistry upfront.
Also, his Super Eagles are conceding goals in too many games. This is also not sustainable.
Positives:
Delivery of crosses
Getting into good striking positions.
Having goal bound efforts.
Decent overlapping efforts from fullbacks.
Being on the front foot.
High pressing.
Negatives:
Abject goal conversion ratio.
Wafer thin midfield
Inadequate goalkeeping.
Insufficient concentration at the back
Predictable crosses
Lack of a discerning plan b.
A few players need to pull their weights. These include Chukwueze, Boniface, Awoniyi, Lookman, Uzoho, Okoye, Akpoguma and Umar.
That’s osimen the Nigerian top9 not there to score. I’m yet to understand why ballon de or gave him world no8 instead of at least no2 or 3. It’s my thoughts though the obvious truth.
I’m sorry to say Iwobi is not a ball carrier as a midfielder. His game is mostly one touch and moving into space to either shoot or pass which are somewhat predictable. I miss a player like Etebo in that midfield. We’ve lacked a midfield ball carrier in this team. We missed Ndidi though he too is not a ball carrier, but a good tackler that can free spaces for Iwobi instead of the lethargic Onyeka.
We need to start looking for a midfielder that can take players on and carry the ball from box to box. That will free up space for the attackers and wingers to get into scoring positions. Unfortunately, we don’t have the time now. I just hope they get the win against Zimbabwe because another draw in two games means we will be playing catch-up all through the qualifiers.
I suggest nigeria should try get Curtis Jones of Liverpool. He has recently being sliding towards the nigerian angle. But till then, Peseiro should try out Boniface in that NO 10 position. Boniface is a very good carrier of the ball, while IWOBI plays behind him with NDIDI holding out deeper. But for Sundays game, Onyedika should play the deep midfield role since ndidi is not available.
Glory,
I know you mean well and your heart is in the right place but leave Curtis Jones a beg. He is not the answer. Let’s try Chukwueze as a ball carrying midfielder because of his pace. Rather than widening the net why not let’s optimise the pool of players at our disposal?
Failing that we can even try Man dem Tosin Kehinde (who is another Palm wine carrier in midfield)who long pledged allegiance to Nigeria but hasn’t been utilised.
How come Man dem Dele Bashiru was excluded? He is another option.
Hahaha.. Haha. Man dem d thing tire me ooo, broda dem @ Deo. The search for an attacking midfielder has become both a national and international assignment for all Nigerians. Oya off we go. I found one Curtis Jones and you say make I forget and accept your palm wine carrier? Na THE PROBLEM WEY DEY SE be this ooo. If your own now gets picked, wetin you think say I go wish(pray) if I were to be a football agent? Na d problem be this ooo. But on a serious note brodaman Deo, is there a reason why you adviced we forget about Curtis, for I want to be sure it’s not for lack of quality. Because I have watched him several times and come to see, he is such superb attacking midfielder.
Chukwueze as an attacking midfielder? nah brodaman.His best position is from the right and sadly that’s just about it only. The wazza dazzler chuzzy lacks the body shape/dynamics for a midfield position. If you say TELLA then maybe.
Thanks Brotherman Glory. I think Curtis Jones is destined for England call up. I stand to be corrected though. I think experimenting Chukwueze in attacking midfield can be interesting because of his speed and dribbling skills.
Also, Tosin Kehinde is da bomb.
The coach doesn’t know what he is doing and that is why other countries sacked him. NFF, please sideline this man and use other coaches before it is too late. Your life is in danger if we didn’t win our next match.
Ewobi or whatever, it was because osimen wasn’t in the lineup. Peisero must have to start grooming new top9 striker now that’s is obviously without osimen goaleader, super egoes can’t score more than one goaloo. Ok let’s assume the crocodiles scored 2goals, they would’ve beaten us at uyo. It’s my candid opinionated view.
Can this man really say “It was bad luck” if he was coaching Portugal lol? It’s like Portugal Dawing Macedonia.
North Macedonia has beaten Italy at home, before.
Yes and the Italian player at the time called it bad luck.
“We have to ask ourselves questions now. There’s some bad luck, but you also need to make your own luck.” Said Marco Verratti after the loss to North Macedonia.
The next game will show how serious they are and what Peseiro has to offer after a dismissal outing..
CS don dey prepare excuse for failure already. Dem say 2 things:
1. High altitude wey most eagles never play in
2. Synthetic pitch most too no dey used to.
If them mess up, it is over because na Rwanda home ground too. I no no about Lesotho home pitch.
The fact is that we don’t have a good midfield. The pair Iwobi and Oyenka is not clicking Iwobi who was supposed to play in an advanced position restricted backward play “pass to me,i pass to you then backward. No playmaker in the team. The attackers have to fall back in order to get the ball.The goalkeeper Uzuho was stactic When the ball was played into 28yrd close to him. He was undecided looking like mumu. No instinct and reflection. Not quite long Senegalese coach was asked to evaluate the super eagles and it’s chances in the next ancon. He described the super Eagle as a team with fire in the attack but a licking backyard.He said if the super eagles score two they will concede three.And concluded that he doesn’t see them going far in the competition.