Peseiro to hold talks with misfiring forwards, reels out statistics to prove Super Eagles dominated Crocodiles 

Jose Peseiro has defended the performance of his attack-minded players during the frustrating 1-1 draw against Lesotho in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match on Thursday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

Despite being on the defensive, it was the Southern African nation that broke the deadlock through Motlomelo Mkhwanazi ten minutes into the second half, but Semi Ajayi of all people, with his first international goal, salvaged a draw for the three-time African champions.

Nigeria paid the consequences for missing a host of chances, with Jamilu Collins, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi and Victor Boniface failing to find the net when presented with clear-cut opportunities. 

A disappointed Peseiro reeled out statistics to prove that his team dominated the game and namechecked Iheanacho, Lookman,  Awoniyi and Victor Boniface as he admitted that his forward players were not clinical in front of goal. 

"76 percent of the ball possession against 24 percent. We had many opportunities to score, the opponents had two shots on goal and scored one goal," Peserio told reporters at the post-match press conference. 

"I am sad of course, I'm not happy, disappointed also but my team tried to do the maximum. I'm sad because of the result but about the performance, the other team stayed in the back ninety minutes, went in front three or four times."

Peseiro will be having a chat with the players ahead of their next game against Zimbabwe in order to improve their fortunes in front of goal. 

"Today we created, Boniface with two or three times with the head, Taiwo, other players Kelechi, Ade also, many situations. What I can do is to speak with my guys to be more concentrated and focused for finishing.

"In the first half we played with tranquility, in the last twenty minutes of the second half we played normally because the team wanted to score."

Peseiro could not count on the services of his marquee striker Victor Osimhen, who is recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up on international duty last month.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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