The Super Eagles have advanced closer to qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after narrowly defeating Lesotho 2-1 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Friday, in a match that may prove pivotal for Nigeria’s campaign.
Troost Ekong initiated Nigeria’s scoring by successfully converting a penalty awarded for a handball in the Lesotho penalty area, which ignited jubilation among the home supporters.
Akor Adams subsequently extended the lead with a precise finish, seemingly placing Nigeria in a commanding position. Lesotho managed to respond with a goal from Kalake, yet the Eagles remained resolute to clinch the vital three points.
Nevertheless, the Benin Republic secured a goal in their own match, resulting in Nigeria trailing in points and goal difference within Group C. With only one match left in the group, the Eagles’ destiny is not entirely within their control.
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Currently, Nigeria holds 14 points while Benin leads the group, leaving the Eagles with multiple avenues to achieve automatic qualification:
Secure victory in the final match: A win is crucial to maintain their chances.
Anticipate errors: Benin Republic or South Africa must falter in their concluding matches.
Enhance goal difference: Nigeria is behind Benin (+5) and South Africa (+3), thus scoring additional goals and maintaining a clean sheet could be critical if teams end up level on points.
Final match confrontation: A robust performance in the last round could enable Nigeria to surpass the leaders and claim the top position.
For Lesotho, this defeat is a significant setback, effectively extinguishing their chances of advancing from the group. With nine points accumulated from five matches, they now require an almost unattainable series of results to remain in the race.
