Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Friday reignited their hopes of qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by beating hosts Lesotho 2-1.
With two games to finish in the group stages, Nigeria went into the must-win match sitting third on 11 points, three behind Benin Republic and South Africa, who both had 14 points.
Super Eagles’ head coach, Eric Chelle, unleashed a two-man attack in their starting line-up, with Victor Osimhen and Tolu Arokodare in the forward line, supported by creative midfielders Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon.
Stanley Nwabali retained his place in goal, protected by a strong line of defense featuring Calvin Bassey, Benjamin Fredrick, Ekong, and Wilfred Ndidi, who was once again deployed in a deeper defensive role.
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Ademola Lookman and Tochukwu Onyemaechi were also named in the starting XI to provide width and pace in transition as Nigeria looked to dominate possession and break down the resilient Lesotho defense.
The first half ended barren, but the Eagles went ahead on the restart when Skipper William Troost-Ekong found the mark from the penalty spot after a Lesotho player handled the ball in the vital area.
Debutant Akor Adam increased the tally in the 81st minute after an assist from Osimhen.
Two minutes later, the hosts reduced the tally when Hlompho Kalak lobbed over the defense wall after Nwabali parried the ball close to his feet, following a corner kick.
Lesotho came close to equalizing following Nwabali’s blunders, but the Eagles survived to claim victory.
They remain third behind Benin, who now have 17 points and second-placed South Africa on 15 points.
Everyone’s fate hangs up until the final whistle on the final match day.
21 SUPER EAGLES TO BATTLE LESOTHO IN POLOKWANE
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain).
The Conclaves
