Nigeria ensured they are still in the fight for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup after claiming a hard-fought 2-1 win over Lesotho in Polokwane on Friday.
Goals from captain William Troost-Ekong and debutant Jerome Akor Adams sealed the win for the Super Eagles at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, while Hlompho Kalake grabbed a late consolation for the hosts.
The result means Nigeria remain firmly in contention for qualification after missing out on the last World Cup in Qatar. They are now just one point behind second-placed South Africa, who were held to a goalless draw by Zimbabwe in Durban, and three points behind Group C leaders Benin, who edged Rwanda 1–0 in Kigali.
With only one automatic qualification spot available, fans and pundits have already started crunching the numbers to determine Nigeria’s chances. The qualifiers head into the final day, with Nigeria hosting Benin at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo next Tuesday, while South Africa face Rwanda in Mpumalanga.
Afrosport takes a closer look at what this result means for the Super Eagles as they prepare for a decisive final round of matches.
Nigeria Qualifies If…
Nigeria’s World Cup hopes remain alive, but their late defensive lapse against Lesotho could prove crucial in the final standings.
Before conceding in the 83rd minute, the Super Eagles were on 14 points with a +4 goal difference. That goal cut their tally to +3, leaving them three points and two goals behind Group C leaders Benin, who edged Rwanda 1–0 in Kigali.
For Nigeria to qualify automatically for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they must beat Benin by at least a two-goal margin in Uyo and hope South Africa either lose or draw against Rwanda at the Mbombela Stadium.
A two-goal victory would leave the Super Eagles level with Benin on goal difference. According to FIFA regulations, the next tiebreaker is the number of goals scored — and that would see Nigeria edge their West African rivals by at least one, with Benin currently on 12 goals and Nigeria on 11.
While a win by three goals, combined with a favourable result in the South Africa–Rwanda clash, would guarantee Nigeria a place at next year’s World Cup.
Anything less would mean Nigeria miss out on a direct ticket to the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Nigeria Misses Out…
Despite securing a much-needed win against Lesotho, the Super Eagles are not out of the woods yet and must hope everything falls in their favour to clinch the group’s only ticket.
Eric Chelle’s men still have a slim chance of reaching next year’s World Cup, but anything short of a win against Benin in Uyo will end their hopes.
Even with victory, they must win by at least two goals, regardless of the result between South Africa and Rwanda.
