The senior national team of Nigeria had their final training session yesterday ahead of today’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers game Lesotho later today in Uyo.
Led by head coach Jose Peseiro, the training session lasted close to two hours with emphasis on how to approach the game particularly in the attacking third with the Super Eagles expected to swoop on their opponent.
Below are five things we noticed in the training session.
1. Emphasis On Shooting – The shooting practice was unusually lengthy with the coaches probably expecting Lesotho to play with a low block hence shooting from range will be decisive in breaking the duck.
2. All Out Attack- It’s clear that the team will play in the preferred 4-2-4 formation of the coach with a four man attack expected to create an overload in the box of Lesotho, who they expect to defend in numbers.
3. Set Piece Drills – With the expectation that the visitors will play with a low block, the coaches are of the opinion that making good use of set piece situation will be key to penetrating them. Hence they took more time to rehearse free kicks and corner kicks routine.
4. Awoniyi Edges Moffi In Attack – The battle for who will play as the arrow head of the attack for Nigeria with Victor Osimhen absent was narrowed to just two players in Terem Moffi and Taiwo Awoniyi. However the latter seems to be highly favoured to start with his sharpness in training.
5. No Debut For Tella – Newly invited Bayer Leverkusen winger Nathan Tella won’t make his debut in the game against Lesotho. Yesterday he wasn’t involved in the pre match drills of the team.
Osas Mahawi
