Boluwatife Kehinde
The Super Eagles of Nigeria edged closer to a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a gritty 2-1 victory over Lesotho on Friday, setting the stage for a high-stakes final group match against Benin Republic. In what could prove to be the turning point of their qualification campaign, Nigeria showed resilience and attacking quality when it mattered most.
The breakthrough came in the 55th minute when team captain William Troost-Ekong stepped up to convert a penalty after a blatant handball in the Lesotho box. His cool finish ignited wild celebrations among Nigerian supporters and gave the Super Eagles a vital lead early in the second half.
Nigeria doubled their advantage in the 80th minute through in-form striker Akor Adams. Latching onto a precise pass, Adams fired home with composure, putting the Super Eagles firmly in control. But the comfort was short-lived. Lesotho struck back just three minutes later when Kalake found the net, injecting late drama into the contest.
Despite Lesotho’s late push, Nigeria’s defense stood firm to secure all three points. However, the result, though crucial, wasn’t enough to push Nigeria to the top of Group C.
Benin Republic’s own victory on the same day means they stay three points ahead of Nigeria, sitting at the summit with 17 points, while Nigeria trails with 14. With just one match left, Nigeria’s qualification fate hangs in the balance.
To qualify automatically, Nigeria must defeat Benin Republic in their final game—a must-win encounter that could decide everything. A victory would see the Super Eagles leapfrog Benin and claim top spot in the group.
Alternatively, Nigeria could still hope for favorable results elsewhere. Any slip-ups by Benin or South Africa in their remaining matches could open the door. Goal difference could also play a pivotal role, so a high-scoring win coupled with a clean sheet would further boost Nigeria’s chances.
For Lesotho, the loss was a crushing blow. With just nine points from five games, their hopes of World Cup qualification are all but over.
