The Super Eagles, Nigeria’s national football team, are set to face Lesotho’s Crocodiles in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match on Friday. The encounter, scheduled to take place at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, is a must-win for the Nigerian team if they hope to keep their slim chances of qualifying for the global tournament alive.

A draw or defeat would likely end the Super Eagles’ bid to participate in the World Cup. In a press conference held in Polokwane on Thursday, head coach Éric Chelle emphasized the importance of his team giving their best performance against Lesotho. Chelle stressed that the Super Eagles must begin the game with intensity and be aggressive, as the outcome is far from certain.

“In football, anything can happen during the game due to factors such as the weather, referee’s error, and mistakes,” Chelle said. He also acknowledged that Lesotho is a good team with a good coach, making the match a challenging one. The Super Eagles’ focus is solely on achieving victory in this game, and they will need to stay concentrated if they hope to emerge successful.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. Nigerian time, and the team’s performance will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike. With the stakes high, the Super Eagles will need to be at the top of their game if they hope to keep their World Cup dreams alive. The outcome of this match will have significant implications for the team’s chances of qualifying for the tournament, making it a crucial encounter for Nigerian football.