2026 World Cup qualifier: Peseiro to hold talks with strikers before Zimbabwe clash

By Wale Mustapha

Following their disappointing 1-1 draw against the Crocodiles of Lesotho, Head coach of Nigeria men’s national team, Jose Peseiro is set to hold a showdown discussions with his strikers on how to be more clinical in their subsequent games.

The Super Eagles had dominated the entire proceedings of the match but left to rue their missed scoring opportunities as they settled for 1-1 draw. Semi Ajayi with his first goal in the colors of Nigeria canceled out Lesotho’s goal Mathlomelo Mkwanazi through.

The three times AFCON winners could have won convincingly but the likes of Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookmam and Kelechi Iheanacho all threw away the golden chances.

After frustrating draw, Peseiro said the result was not a true reflection of the performance just as he admitted his attackers were wasteful and the need for them to be more clinical.

“I am sad of course, I’m not happy, disappointed also but my team tried to do the maximum,” the Portuguese told media.

“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.

“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 will still be without the country’s marksman, Victor Osimhen who is still recuperating from hamstring injury he suffered while on national team duty when they take on Zimbabwe on Sunday.