Lesotho vs Nigeria: Lookman to miss Super Eagles clash against Benin

Super Eagles head coach Eric Sekou Chelle will be unable to rely on CAF POTY Ademola Lookman for the fate-deciding encounter against the Benin Republic, after the Atalanta man picked up a needless yellow card against Lesotho.

Lookman had an ineffective game and had to be substituted in the 71st minute for Samuel Chukwueze, but not before he got a yellow card for an off-the-ball tackle on a Lesotho midfielder.

The yellow card against the Crocodiles brought Lookman's tally for the qualifying round to two, effectively triggering a one-game suspension.

Lookman picked up the first of the pair in the last game. He was shown yellow early against South Africa after he got into a fiery showdown with Bafana Bafana's Siyabonga Ngezana.

Eric Chelle must now rely on other forwards for the must-win game against the Benin Republic. And with Akor Adams' brilliant cameo in which he scored the winner, the Sevilla man could be tasked with replacing Lookman in Uyo on Tuesday.

The administrators of the Super Eagles must remember that Lookman is now suspended, so as not to make a similar mistake as South Africa, which is about to cost them their World Cup dreams. 

While this is not expected to be the case, given the proximity of both yellow cards, it is not a given, as Nigeria made the error in the past, in the case of Shehu Abdullahi in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. 

South Africa now lie second in Group B on 15 points after they were docked three points for ineligibly fielding Teboho Mokoena. Benin Republic now lead the group with 17 points, and a draw against Nigeria on Tuesday night might be enough to clinch the game.