The Super Eagles of Nigeria kept their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive with a narrow 2-1 victory over Lesotho on Friday. The win is crucial as it brings Nigeria closer to securing a spot in the tournament, though challenges remain ahead.
Captain William Ekong opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 55th minute by converting a penalty after a handball in the Lesotho box. Debutant Akor Adams extended the lead with a well-placed shot in the 81st minute, following an assist from Victor Osimhen. However, Lesotho responded quickly, with Hlompho Kalake scoring in the 83rd minute, bringing the score to 2-1. Despite some late pressure from the hosts, Nigeria held on for the victory.
Currently, Nigeria sits third in Group C with 14 points, trailing behind the Benin Republic, who topped the group with 17 points following their 1-0 win against Rwanda, and South Africa, who are second with 15 points after drawing with Zimbabwe. With only one match day left, Nigeria’s fate is precarious as they need a win against the Benin Republic in their final game to maintain hopes of automatic qualification.
The Super Eagles have three potential pathways to secure their spot: winning their last match, hoping for Benin and South Africa to drop points, and improving their goal difference. The upcoming showdown against Benin will be pivotal, as a strong performance could allow Nigeria to overtake the group leaders.
Conversely, the defeat marks the end of Lesotho’s World Cup aspirations, as they now face an uphill battle to remain competitive in the group. With only nine points from five matches, their chances of qualification are virtually extinguished.
As the final match day approaches, the Super Eagles are poised for a decisive clash that could shape Nigeria’s World Cup dreams.
