- Nigeria recorded a vital 2–1 victory over Lesotho to strengthen their World Cup qualification chances.
- Captain William Troost-Ekong converted a penalty to give the Super Eagles the lead early in the second half.
- Debutant Akor Adams sealed the win with a fine finish before Lesotho pulled one back late in the game.
- The result keeps Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup hopes alive, though they must win their final match to qualify automatically.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria took a big step toward booking their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a tense 2–1 win over Lesotho in their Group B qualifier.
The game, played under difficult conditions in Maseru, saw the Nigerian side struggle to find their rhythm in the first half. Despite dominating possession, the Super Eagles could not break through Lesotho’s organized defense, with Victor Osimhen and Tolu Arokodare struggling to make an impact up front.
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It took a moment of fortune for Nigeria to find their breakthrough. Ten minutes after the restart, a Lesotho defender handled the ball inside the box, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Captain William Troost-Ekong confidently converted from the spot, giving Nigeria the lead they desperately needed.
Shortly after, Wilfred Ndidi appealed for another penalty following a challenge in the area, but the referee waved play on. As the game continued, debutant Akor Adams, making his first appearance for the national team, doubled Nigeria’s advantage with a composed finish, capitalizing on a rare defensive lapse by the hosts.
Lesotho refused to go down quietly. Late in the match, Hlompho Kalake took advantage of a slip by Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to reduce the deficit. The final minutes were filled with pressure, but Nigeria held firm to secure all three points.
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The result ended Lesotho’s faint qualification hopes while boosting Nigeria’s chances in the group standings. With Benin Republic leading the group by three points and South Africa trailing, the Super Eagles will need a strong performance in their final match to secure an automatic qualification slot for the 2026 World Cup.
