Nigeria must defeat Lesotho in their final group match if they are to keep alive their slim hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria will face Lesotho at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane in a must-win 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match scheduled for Friday. This fixture represents the final chance for the Super Eagles to keep their qualification hopes alive.
After a draw with South Africa on September 1, Nigeria appeared to be eliminated, but South Africa’s penalisation for fielding an ineligible player reopened the race. That development left Nigeria just three points behind both Benin and South Africa with two matches remaining.
A victory in this match is crucial, not only to avoid a defeat but also to rely on favourable outcomes in other games — particularly South Africa’s upcoming fixtures versus Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Lesotho, having drawn 1-1 in their previous meeting in Uyo, will be hoping for another surprise against the more fancied Nigerians.
As it stands, Benin lead Group C with 14 points, followed by South Africa also on 14 (on goal difference), while Nigeria sit third with 11.