Nigeria defeated Lesotho 2-1 on Friday evening to keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.
Goals from William Troost-Ekong and Akor Adams proved enough for the Super Eagles to secure all three points against the Crocodiles at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
Desperate for a victory, the three-time African champions started the game brightly but struggled to break down the well-organised Southern African defence.
Despite dominating possession, Eric Chelle’s side lacked sharpness in the final third, with Victor Osimhen and Tolu Arokodare missing key opportunities.
Meanwhile, Lesotho posed little threat, spending most of the match pinned in their own half.
Goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane was kept busy in the first half, making three routine saves, while Nigeria saw three of their own efforts sail off target.
The deadlock was broken early in the second half when the visitors were awarded a penalty after Motlomelo Mkwanazi handled the ball inside the area. Troost-Ekong stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards.
Akor Adams, who made his international debut after replacing Arokodare in the 62nd minute, doubled the lead for the 2013 African champions.
Galatasaray’s Osimhen set him up, and the Sevilla star expertly cut the ball onto his left foot before firing a precise shot past Moerane with just ten minutes remaining.
A costly error by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali allowed substitute Hlompho Kalake to pull one back just three minutes later, but Chelle’s side held their composure to secure all three points.
In other group games, Benin Republic defeated Rwanda by a lone goal, and a goalless draw between Zimbabwe and South Africa handed Super Eagles a big step closer to securing a spot at the summer tournament with one qualifier remaining.
Nigeria remain third in Group C with 14 points. Benin Republic climbed to the top of the group with 17 points, while South Africa is in second place with 15 points.
Nigeria must defeat Gernot Rohr’s Benin Republic and hope Bafana Bafana slip up against Rwanda to secure a return to the tournament after missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.
Group C ranking currently
- Benin – 17 pts +5
- South Africa – 15 pts +3
- Nigeria – 14 pts +3
- Rwanda – 11 pts +0
- Lesotho – 9 pts -3
- Zimbabwe – 5 pts -6