The Nigeria Super Eagles kept their dream of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive on Thursday by defeating Lesotho 2-1 in a crucial qualifier.
Head coach Eric Chelle fielded a strong side featuring the return of Galatasaray forward, Victor Osimhen, and Saudi Pro League, Al-Kholood defender, William Troost-Ekong.
The Eagles, despite enjoying dominant ball possession, were initially sloppy in passing the ball in the first half, as the Lesotho Crocodiles were strong in defence.
Lesotho’s back five successfully prevented the opposition forwards from accessing enough space to operate in.
Moses Simon set the pace early in the 6th minute, and Osimhen came close in the 38th minute, forcing a save from Sekhoane after meeting a cross.
However, the Lesotho defence repeled all attack to end the first half goalless.
Nigeria’s dominance in the second half was rewarded in the 53rd minute when Motlomelo Mkwanazi was adjudged to have handled the ball while blocking a shot from Moses Simon.
Ekong stepped up to take the penalty kick, guiding it to the bottom right-hand corner.
The Super Eagles doubled their lead in the 80th minute. Osimhen “fed the ball on the right side of the penalty area to Akor Adams, who was making his debut. Adams took a touch then drilled his effort past Sekhoane to make the score 2-0.
The Crocodiles would gethemselves back into the game shortly after, following a sloppy play from the Nigeria defence after a corner kick.
The ball landed favorably to Hlompho Kalake, who whipped a shot over the top of the Stanlee Nwabali to end the game at 2-1.
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