Nigeria was held to a surprising 1-1 draw at home by Lesotho in their FIFA World Cup CAF qualification opener on November 17, 2023. The match result at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo was a major shock, as the Super Eagles failed to overcome the minnows ranked much lower. Lesotho took a stunning lead against the run of play in the first half, sending shockwaves through the stadium. Nigeria piled on pressure and eventually found an equalizer, but they could not break down a resolute Lesotho defense a second time. This draw was a disappointing start for Nigeria in Group C, putting immediate pressure on their campaign. The Nigeria manager faced criticism for the performance, while the Lesotho coach celebrated a historic point for his nation.