Super Eagles player ratings: Simon standout; Iheanacho nearly scores; Ajayi redeems himself; Awoniyi poor 

The Super Eagles were held to an embarrassing 1-1 draw by Lesotho in their opening game of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Thursday evening.

Allnigeriasoccer.com runs the rule over the Super Eagles players involved in the encounter.

The starters

Goalkeeper 

Francis Uzoho: Largely untested in the game,  made a good save to deny Lesotho from taking the lead and couldn't have done anything to stop the goal. 6/10

Defenders

Bright Osayi-Samuel: He was lively as usual and was rarely beaten by his man but he needs to be putting crosses into the 18-yards whenever he finds himself in a crossing position. Should have shown more awareness for Lesotho's goal. 5/10

Semi Ajayi: Partially at fault for the goal conceded but made amends by scoring the equalizer to register his first goal for the Super Eagles. 7/10

Calvin Bassey: The Fulham centre-back was rock solid and made some nice progressive passes but wasn't faced with much threat to deal with. 6.5/10

Jamilu Collins: Started a game for the first time since 2022 and showed why he was chosen over Bruno Onyemaechi. Combined very well with Lookman, recorded Nigeria's first shot on target of the game. A solid outing from the Cardiff defender. 7/10

Midfielders

Frank Onyeka: Started the game with good energy but fizzled out. A solid but not brilliant performance from the defensive midfielder. 6/10

Alex Iwobi:  He constantly demanded the ball, completed most of his passes and was always looking for the player in the most dangerous position to cause havoc on the Crocodiles' defence. 6/10

Kelechi Iheanacho: Tasked with captaining the team for an hour. Provided the assist for Nigeria's equalizer and was on the cusp of scoring his 15th international goal but was denied by a brilliant save by goalkeeper Moerane. Hit the woodwork with a great shot in the 63rd minute. Did not do badly despite being played out of position. 7/10

Ademola Lookman: Was Nigeria's most lively forward before his substitution.  He was consistently beating his marker, combining well with Collins and his set pieces were good. 6/10

Forwards

Taiwo Awoniyi: He got Nigeria's best chance in the first half but he couldn't tuck the ball into the net. A game to forget for the Nottingham Forest striker  3.5/10

Victor Boniface: Was more lively than Awoniyi, denied from getting on the scoresheet by the woodwork and the brilliant Lesotho goalkeeper 4/10

The substitutes

Moses Simon: Looked very threatening when he came on, attempted a lot of dribbles and put some decent crosses into the danger zone. 8/10

Terem Moffi: On a day Nigeria center forwards struggled, he could not make the difference when he came on.  4.5/10

Bruno Onyemaechi: Wasnt as lively as Collins and didn't make any case to start over the Cardiff full-back against Zimbabwe. 4/10

Ola Aina: Nothing to do as he came on as he came on as a late substitute. 4/10

Joe Aribo: Did not have any influence on the game 4/10

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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