Peseiro expected to go for the tried and tested sticking with error-prone Uzoho against Lesotho

SUPER Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro is set to stick with Francis Uzoho as his goalkeeper today when Nigeria kicks off her 2026 World Cup campaign with a qualifier against Lesotho despite his incessant blunders during recent matches.

Later today, the Super Eagles rakes on the Crocodiles of Lesotho at the Uyo Stadium in that will be the first of two games this week, with an away match against Zimbabwe due next Tuesday. As expected, there has been a lot of speculation about the team selection, especially in goal and upfront due to the absence of star striker Victor Osimhen through injury.

In the goalkeeping department, home-based duo Olorunleke Ojo and Amas Obasogie are the other two men in camp but Peseiro is expected to go for experience. This is despite the fact that the coach is under pressure to drop Uzoho because of his constant gaffs, which have cost Nigeria dear.

 In defence, Mr Peseiro is expected to go for a centre-back pairing of Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi. Ajayi, with Jamilu Collins set to start at left-back following Bruno Onyemaechi’s injury and Ola Aina playing as rightback. In midfield, Raphael Onyedika should start in the absence of Wilfred Ndidi and be partnered by Frank Onyeka.

Fulham star Alex Iwobi will be the creative link in midfield, playmaking behind the front trio. In attack, Ademola Lookman is expected to start from the left,  while Moses Simon  operates from the right, while Victor Boniface will lead the attack as the targetman.

Expected line-up

Uzoho

Aina

Collins

Ajayi

Bassey

Onyeka

Onyedika

Iwobi

Simon

Boniface

Lookman