Nigeria boosted their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying hopes with a much-needed 2–1 victory over Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday, Afrosport reports.
The Super Eagles, under the guidance of head coach Eric Chelle, produced a professional performance to claim all three points and stay within touching distance of Group C leaders Benin and South Africa.
Full-Time in Polokwane!
The Super Eagles get the job done, goals from Troost-Ekong and debutant Akor Adams seal the win!
Lesotho 1-2 Nigeria #LESNGA #SoarSuperEagles #FIFAWCQ2026 pic.twitter.com/03mGPNGZkk
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) October 10, 2025
After a lively but goalless first half, Nigeria found their rhythm in the second period. The breakthrough came 10 minutes after the restart, with captain William Troost-Ekong finding the bottom corner from the penalty spot after a handball from a Lesotho defender.
The three-time African champions came close to doubling their lead but Victor Osimhen’s dink over goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane hit the post, while Moses Simon’s rebound was cleared off the goal line.
Chelle brought in Jerome Akor Adams for Tolu Arokodare, with the Sevilla striker making his debut appearance for Nigeria. Samuel Chukwueze also came on for reigning African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman, boosting the Super Eagles’ firepower.
Lesotho fought hard to stay in the contest, but Nigeria’s quality soon told as Adams doubled the lead in the 80th minute to open his international account, finishing off a swift counter-attack after being teed up by Osimhen.
The Crocodiles pulled one back through Hlompho Kalake after a mistake from goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. They almost levelled in stoppage time when a mix-up between Nwabali and Semi Ajayi gifted the ball to Fusi Matlabe, but the fullback failed to find the target.
The win keeps Nigeria third in Group C, but they have now closed the gap on second-placed South Africa to just one point after Bafana Bafana were held to a goalless draw by Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Meanwhile, Benin secured a late 1–0 victory over Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, thanks to an 80th-minute strike from France-based forward Tosin Aiyegun. Gernot Rohr’s men remain top of the group, two points clear of South Africa and three ahead of Nigeria.
Friday’s result keeps Nigeria’s qualification hopes alive heading into the final round of matches. The Super Eagles will now focus on their decisive clash against Benin in Uyo on Tuesday, knowing that a win — combined with a favourable result between South Africa and Rwanda — could seal their ticket to next year’s FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
