Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has urged his players to give their all when they face Lesotho in Friday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Polokwane, Afrosport reports.
The match, which takes place at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, is a must-win for Nigeria, whose hopes of reaching the World Cup hang in the balance. Any result short of a win could end their slim chances of qualification.
Game day minus 1. All focus, all hunger; we fight till the finish 💪🏽!#SoarSuperEagles #Naija4theWin pic.twitter.com/ZAAK0jhfnF
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) October 9, 2025
Chelle said the team must start strongly and play with intensity from the first whistle.
“Everybody can’t go to the World Cup, in football anything can happen during the game because of the weather, referee’s error, and mistakes,” said Chelle during his post-match conference on Thursday.
“We need to stay focused on what we want to achieve. What we want is to achieve victory. After that there will be another game. We are hundred percent focused on this game against Lesotho tomorrow. A good team with a good coach.
“We need to start well, focused on this game. We have to start with intensity and be aggressive as well.”
Nigeria are third in Group C with 11 points, three behind Benin and South Africa, who occupy the top two spots. They take on Lesotho’s Crocodiles at 6p.m. local time (5p.m. Nigerian time).
