The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lesotho at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday, keeping their 2026 World Cup qualification hopes alive. The win came as a result of a intense match, with the Nigerian team facing a strong challenge from their hosts.

According to defender William Troost-Ekong, the Lesotho team, also known as the Crocodiles, put up a good fight, making it difficult for the Super Eagles to achieve their win. “Lesotho played a great game. It was not easy to come here and win,” Troost-Ekong said in a press conference. He acknowledged the pressure that has been on the team since the start of the qualifiers, saying “the game was not easy.”

The Super Eagles will now shift their focus to their upcoming match against the Benin Republic, scheduled to take place on Tuesday. Troost-Ekong emphasized the importance of the team’s winning mentality, stating “we want to do better always. We have a team of guys who want to do better.” He also highlighted the team’s desire to qualify for the World Cup, saying “we want to be at the World Cup.”

The past nine months have been challenging for the Super Eagles, but Troost-Ekong expressed his pride in the team’s performance and their determination to succeed. “We have been working under pressure for a long time. This is the final for us, and we will work very hard to get there,” he said. The team’s coach has also expressed his pride in the team, and the players are expected to maintain their focus and momentum as they prepare for their next match.

The win over Lesotho has significant implications for the Super Eagles’ World Cup qualification campaign. With the team’s hopes still alive, they will need to maintain their winning streak in order to secure a spot in the tournament. The upcoming match against the Benin Republic will be a crucial test for the team, and they will need to perform well in order to achieve their goal.