Lesotho vs Nigeria: Osimhen's performance tops 5 things we learned from tie
Lesotho vs Nigeria ended in another resounding victory for Super Eagles on Sunday evening, November 18, at Setsoto Stadium with Gernot Rohr's men ruthlessly dominant as they cruised to a comfortable 4-2 victory in another tough encounter of AFCON 2021 qualifier.
Super Eagles came into the game head-high after an narrow 2-1 home win over Benin Republic's Squirrels at Akpabio stadium in Uyo.
But it was Thabo Senong's men who first changed the score-sheet through Masoabi Nkoto's 11th-minute strike.
The scoreline was brought to balance through Alex Iwobi's 26th-minute equaliser before Samuel Chukwueze's 39th minute handed Nigeria the first-half lead.
Osimhen scored Nigeria's last two goals as Super Eagles recorded another victory.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng highlights the five major takeaways from the match
1. Osimhen is a perfect replacement for retired Odioh Ighalo
When Odioh Ighalo dropped the curtain on his international career after AFCON 2019 glory, nobody thought Nigeria would quickly get another prolific star in his place.
But like a trace of light in shadow, Oshimen stepped into the shoes and perfectly filled the void left behind by the former international's absence.
The Lille striker comfortably exhibits the courage as the engine room of Nigeria's attack line with an explosive replication of classical finish attributed to late Rashidi Yekini.
The 20-year-old was in rescue for the Super Eagles with an equalizer that put Nigeria back in Benin win.
He was also involved in all goals Nigeria scored to defeat Lesotho, hitting two assists and two goals for the Eagles.
Nigeria has got a stellar star in Osimhen!
2. Gernot Rohr's main headache is now in defense, not goalkeeping
Gernot Rohr has expressed his desire to end his Super Eagles note with AFCON title, but this towering dream can only be realized with a perfect squad with lesser errors.
The German coach must by now know that his headache is not only in goalkeeping, but he also has a big restructuring process to do at the backline.
With just four games played after AFCON 2019 outing in Egypt, Super Eagles' defense-line has proved to be unimaginably porous, conceding six goals.
A recent confirmation to this is how Eagles conceded early goals in their last two matches against the Squirrels and Crocodiles.
A team's success is not only gauged by its scoring spree but also how it often keeps it defense-line against opponents' presence.
3. Nigeria can boast of wingers in Samuel Kalu and Samuel Chukwueze
Samuel Kalu and Samuel Chukwueze seem to have come of age for Nigerian wing-side with quite an impressive run of performance for Super Eagles in their last two games.
22-year-old Kalu was ruled-out of practically all Nigeria's games for AFCON 2019 due to heart problem but the Bordeaux forward proved his significant presence for the Super Eagles through a sublime 62nd-minute strike in Benin game.
Samuel Chukwueze, on the other hand, was on fire as he scored a 39th-minute goals in Lesotho encounter.
4. Joe Aribo struggled against Lesotho, still a worthy heir to Mikel's stool
The Rangers FC midfielder has been tipped as heir to former Chelsea star and immediate Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi who retired after AFCON 2019 outing, and of course, he is living to the expectation.
Aribo, though struggled to hold the midfield during Lesotho encounter, justified his place in Benin game by giving his counterpart a competitive run.
He is still the man to fill Mikel's voids.
5. Wilfred Ndidi is Nigeria's only star exhibiting qualities of African best
Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, is showing the qualities of African best with his run of impressive form for both clubs and the country.
With the record of highest tackles and interceptions across European top five tiers, the 22-year-old Nigerian international is proving a point in African modern football.
And luckily, he may win the gong for African best in the future if he keeps this fabulous form.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that Fikayo Tomori has eventually ended speculation linking him to Nigeria after the Chelsea sensation made his national senior team debut for Gareth Southgate's England team against Kosovo.
The 21-year-old becomes a full-blown international on Sunday, November 17, during the competitive Euro 2020 qualifier encounter.
Can Nigeria U17 team win a 6th World Cup title in Brazil? | Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
