Local News
Super Eagles Beat Lesotho But Bigger Problems Loom Ahead Of Benin Showdown
A Win That Raises More Questions Than Answers
The Super Eagles of Nigeria kept their slim World Cup qualification hopes alive after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lesotho on Friday evening. Goals from William Troost-Ekong and Akor Adams secured the win for Eric Chelle’s side, but the late concession once again exposed worrying cracks in the team’s setup.
With a decisive clash against Benin Republic up next, the performance against Lesotho has left fans concerned. Here are the key takeaways from the match.
Eric Chelle Still Struggling To Get It Right
Chelle’s tactical choices raised eyebrows yet again. The decision to start Victor Osimhen and Tolu Arokodare upfront, supported by Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon on the wings, did not deliver the desired effect.
Despite the aerial threat of Osimhen and Arokodare, Nigeria failed to exploit width effectively. Lookman and Simon struggled to provide service, forcing the Super Eagles to play narrowly.
Worse still, Osimhen and Arokodare lacked chemistry — the whole point of a strike partnership. Instead of complementing each other, their movements often clashed, leaving Nigeria blunt in the first half.
Deeper Problems For The Super Eagles
Beyond tactics, there is a bigger, systemic problem. Since the latter days of Gernot Rohr, the Super Eagles have looked like a collection of talented individuals rather than a cohesive team.
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Dropped points twice against Zimbabwe
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Dropped points against Lesotho earlier in the campaign
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Past home defeats to Rwanda and Central African Republic
Even their 2024 AFCON run to the final didn’t mask the cracks. For a nation with so much attacking talent, struggling against sides they should dominate is a worrying pattern.
Benjamin Fredrick Shows His Class
One bright spot from the match was Benjamin Fredrick. The 20-year-old defender, starting at right-back in place of the injured Ola Aina, once again impressed after a strong debut against South Africa.
Calm, assured, and defensively sound, Fredrick barely put a foot wrong. While his attacking contribution could improve, his ability to adapt to a new role suggests he is a long-term fixture in the Super Eagles setup.
Akor Adams Grabs His Moment
Another positive was the performance of Akor Adams. Coming on for Arokodare, the Sevilla forward grabbed the match-winning goal with a well-taken strike, showing both skill and composure.
Adams’ display may force Chelle into a rethink for the final clash against Benin. His ability to combine with Osimhen could prove crucial if Nigeria hopes to win by the required margin.
All Eyes On Benin
The Super Eagles must now turn their attention to the decisive fixture against Benin Republic in Uyo. To stand a realistic chance of qualifying, they need to beat the Squirrels by at least two goals — and still hope South Africa drop points against Rwanda.
It’s a massive test not just of Chelle’s tactical acumen but of the Super Eagles’ ability to function as a unit when it matters most. Anything less than total focus and intensity could see Nigeria miss the World Cup for the second consecutive time.
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