Nigeria must beat Lesotho in Polokwane on Friday to keep their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes alive after a lifeline from South Africa’s points deduction.
The Super Eagles face a decisive clash against Lesotho on Friday in Polokwane as their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup hang in the balance.
Nigeria’s campaign looked all but over after a 1-1 draw with South Africa last month, but the Super Eagles were handed a reprieve when South Africa were docked points for fielding an ineligible player. The ruling left Nigeria three points behind group leaders Benin and South Africa with two matches left to play.
Head coach Éric Chelle urged his players to remain focused. “We must begin the game aggressively and with full focus,” he said at a press conference on Thursday, warning that unpredictable factors such as weather and refereeing errors could sway the outcome.
Nigeria sit third in Group C with 11 points, tied with Rwanda, while Lesotho, who held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in Uyo in 2023, will look to spring another surprise. Since 2019, Nigeria have beaten Lesotho twice in three meetings.
The crucial qualifier kicks off at 6:00 p.m. local time (5:00 p.m. Nigeria time) at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.