Super Eagles of Nigeria – Pooja photos The Super Eagles of Nigeria have started their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a 1-1 draw against Lesotho on Thursday. Jose Peseiro’s men couldn’t create clear chances at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo, and struggled to convert the few created by the duo of Kelechi iheanacho and Moses Simon. The visitors, Lesotho took the lead in the 56th minute with a goal by Motlomelo Mkwanazi, putting the Nigerian side on the back foot. However, the Super Eagles salvaged a response with Semi Ajayi’s 67 minutes goal.
Moses Simon taking on Lesotho player – Pooja photos on X Pressure continued on the Lesotho side, courtesy of Simon and iheanacho, who sent several balls into the opposition’s box but none was converted. Lesotho who have only won two out of their last 11 games, pulled so many delay tactics, to secure a draw from the three-time AFCON Champions, and succeeded. The match shows how much the Super Eagles misses star striker Victor Osimhen each time he’s not playing. Osimhen is currently recovering from an injury and couldn’t make it for the double qualifying matches. Meanwhile, the draw leaves the Group G standings open, with Nigeria set for a redemption opportunity against Zimbabwe at the Huye Stadium in Butare on Sunday.
Ronaldo lifted up by a pitch invader. Source: Getty The talking point of the match came when a pitch invader breached security by charging towards Ronaldo who he bowed to. The Al-Nassr star smiled and embraced the man who carried Portugal’s flag. The pitch invader then crouched down on his haunches while wrapping his arms around Ronaldo’s waist and lifting him up. Despite the security breach, Ronaldo seemed to smile after his feet were back on the turf and even did his iconic “siu” goal celebration with the fan. A pitch invader with Ronaldo. 😍😂pic.twitter.com/PBwkxcV3tP — The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) June 17, 2023 The pitch invader managed to evade security staff by sprinting away to a different side of the pitch with a beaming smile on his face. The dramatic incident is coming weeks after Ronaldo was nearly taken out by an overzealous pitch invader while warming up before playing for Al-Nassr against Al-Tawoun during the latter stages of the Saudi Pro League season. The former Manchester United ace was going through the motions alongside his teammates when he was approached by the fan, who took a tumble as he attempted to get close to his idol near the touchline and narrowly avoided swiping Ronaldo’s legs from underneath him. 
Pitch invader evades security during Portugal’s match against Bosnia. Source: Getty With the win this weekend, Portugal extended their lead at the top of Group J in qualifying for Euro 2024. They have won all three of their matches and currently sit two points ahead of second-placed Slovakia, while Bosnia find themselves in fourth after dropping below Luxembourg as a result of their latest defeat. 
Moses Simon converted a penalty kick which gave the Super Eagles a 1-0 win in the fiercely contested match at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Monday, March 27. The result took the Nigerian national team back to the top of Group A with nine points, and they now have two more than Guinea-Bissau. 
