Super Eagles gaffer Jose Peseiro, emphasized that the absence of key players was not the contributing factor to his team’s dropped points against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

Despite missing players like Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Samuel Chukwueze in both matches, Peseiro dismissed injuries as the primary cause for his team’s setbacks.

The outcomes of the matches pose a challenge to the team’s aspirations of securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Addressing concerns about the team’s sluggish start, Peseiro declined to attribute the performance to injuries, asserting that his squad possessed sufficient quality to secure victories in both games.

“Injuries can happen in the national team, Ndidi, Osimhen, Zaidu, Taiwo and a lot were missing but I think we have enough team.

“Somehow, it can happen but I think we have a team to beat Zimbabwe. The key point for me was the off energy,” he stressed.​

Super Eagles are second in Group C with two points from two matches, trailing South Africa who have a game in hand by a point.