Nigeria’s Super Eagles have revived their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Lesotho in Polokwane. The win puts Nigeria in third place in Group C with 14 points, trailing leaders Benin Republic, who have 17 points, and South Africa, with 15 points.
The Benin Republic maintained their lead in the group after securing a 1-0 win over Rwanda in Kigali. Meanwhile, South Africa were held to a goalless draw by Zimbabwe in Durban, which has added complexity to the group standings.
Nigeria will host Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday in a crucial final group match, while South Africa will face Rwanda on the same day. The outcome of these matches will determine the final standings and which teams will advance to the World Cup.
The Super Eagles started strongly against Lesotho, with Tolu Arokodare’s header going over the bar in the 12th minute. Despite being denied several scoring opportunities, Nigeria eventually took the lead in the 54th minute when Captain William Ekong scored from the spot after a Lesotho defender handled the ball.
The Eagles continued to press, with Alex Iwobi having two quick chances and Victor Osimhen’s chip hitting the upright. Osimhen’s deflected effort also struck the woodwork, but he eventually set up debutant Jerome Akor Adams, who scored Nigeria’s second goal in the 80th minute.
Lesotho pulled one back in the 83rd minute through Hlompho Kalake from a corner kick, but Nigeria held on to secure the win. A victory against Benin Republic on Tuesday, combined with a slip-up by South Africa, would secure Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The upcoming matches will be closely watched, as the teams battle for a spot in the prestigious tournament. With the group standings still uncertain, the final matches will be crucial in determining which teams will advance to the World Cup. Nigeria’s win over Lesotho has kept their hopes alive, and they will be looking to capitalize on this momentum in their upcoming match against Benin Republic.