The Super Eagles of Nigeria kept their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes alive on Friday evening with a hard-fought 2–1 win over Lesotho’s Crocodiles at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.
Goals from William Troost-Ekong and Akor Adams helped Nigeria grab all three points, as they continue their mission to make it back to the biggest stage in world football — the FIFA World Cup — after missing the 2022 edition in Qatar.
A Must-Win Game for Nigeria
This game wasn’t just any regular qualifying match — it was a do-or-die encounter for Nigeria. The Super Eagles knew that anything less than a win could destroy their chances of reaching the next World Cup.
Nigeria has one of the strongest football histories in Africa. The team has qualified for the World Cup six times (1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014, and 2018) and is known for its fast-paced attacking football. Many fans still remember the golden generation of the 1990s — players like Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, and Sunday Oliseh — who helped make Nigeria one of the most exciting teams to watch in world soccer.
But in recent years, things haven’t been so smooth. After missing the 2022 World Cup, the pressure on the team — and on coach Eric Chelle — has been massive. Fans across Africa have been waiting to see if the Super Eagles can rise again.
A Tight First Half
From the start of the match, Nigeria looked hungry. The players pressed forward, passing quickly, and trying to find spaces behind the Lesotho defense. But Lesotho came prepared.
The Crocodiles set up in a tight defensive shape, blocking crosses and staying compact around their goal. Their goalkeeper, Sekhoane Moerane, had an excellent first half — making at least three important saves to deny Nigeria.
The Super Eagles created several chances. Victor Osimhen, the star striker from Galatasaray, had a few close attempts but couldn’t convert them into goals. His strike partner, Tolu Arokodare, also missed a header from close range that could have put Nigeria in front.
Despite controlling over 70% of possession, the Super Eagles couldn’t find the back of the net before halftime. The Lesotho fans celebrated every defensive block like a goal, cheering their team for staying strong.
At halftime, the score remained 0–0, and the tension began to build.
Second Half — Nigeria Breaks Through
The breakthrough finally came in the early minutes of the second half.
A cross from the right struck Motlomelo Mkwanazi on the arm inside the box, and the referee pointed straight to the penalty spot. It was the moment Nigeria needed.
Captain William Troost-Ekong stepped up with confidence. The experienced defender, who plays in Greece, calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Goal for Nigeria!
Lesotho 0–1 Nigeria (Troost-Ekong, 52’)
That goal gave the Super Eagles the boost they were looking for. They began to pass with more confidence, pushing Lesotho further back.
Coach Eric Chelle decided to make a key substitution — bringing on Akor Adams, a young forward from Sevilla, to replace Tolu Arokodare in the 62nd minute. That decision would soon pay off big time.
🇳🇬 Akor Adams Scores on His Debut
In the 80th minute, Nigeria struck again.
After a brilliant counterattack led by Victor Osimhen, the ball found Akor Adams inside the penalty area. With quick footwork, the debutant turned onto his left foot and fired a low, powerful shot past the goalkeeper Moerane.
Goal for Nigeria!
Lesotho 0–2 Nigeria (Akor Adams, 80’)
It was a dream debut for the 24-year-old striker — scoring his first-ever goal for the national team in a crucial World Cup qualifier. His teammates rushed to celebrate with him, and the fans inside the stadium erupted with joy.
At this point, it looked like the game was sealed. But football, as always, had a few surprises left.
Late Scare for the Super Eagles
Just when everything seemed under control, a mistake from Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali changed the mood.
In the 83rd minute, Nwabali mishandled a long-range shot, allowing Hlompho Kalake of Lesotho to score from close range. Suddenly, it was 2–1, and the Crocodiles started to believe they could snatch a draw.
Nigeria had to defend deep for the final minutes, blocking shots and clearing dangerous balls from their box. Thankfully, Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey stood strong in defense. When the final whistle blew, the Super Eagles held on for a 2–1 victory.
How the Win Affects the Group
This victory came at a perfect time. Earlier that day, Zimbabwe and South Africa played out a goalless draw, meaning Nigeria moved up the group standings.
With just one qualifier remaining, Nigeria now sits in a strong position to reach the final stage of World Cup qualifying. However, the job isn’t done yet.
To secure their spot, Nigeria must defeat Benin Republic, a team coached by their former manager Gernot Rohr, and hope that South Africa drops points in their final match against Rwanda.
If that happens, the Super Eagles will officially book their ticket to the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Soccer News & Fun Facts
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams for the first time in history, up from 32. This gives more African nations a chance to qualify — 9 guaranteed spots instead of 5.
Nigeria last reached the Round of 16 in the 2014 World Cup, where they lost to France.
Star striker Victor Osimhen is one of Africa’s most valuable players, having scored over 50 goals in Europe since 2021.
William Troost-Ekong, the match’s first goal scorer, has played in three continents — Europe, Asia, and Africa — and was named Best Player at AFCON 2023 despite Nigeria finishing runners-up.
Lesotho, ranked 145th in FIFA, is one of Africa’s smaller football nations but has impressed many with their fighting spirit in this qualification campaign.
Combo Insight
This game was a classic example of how patience and teamwork can win matches even when things aren’t perfect. Nigeria had most of the ball, created more chances, and finally broke through thanks to their experience and talent.
For sports fans who enjoy combining results and performance stats, this match also checked a few favorite betting combos:
Match Result: Nigeria Win
Both Teams to Score (BTTS: Yes)
Over 2.5 Goals
That means anyone who predicted a combo like “Nigeria to win + BTTS + Over 2.5 Goals” would have hit a perfect ticket!
Final Thoughts
The Super Eagles may not have been at their sparkling best, but they showed grit, determination, and belief — three qualities every championship team needs.
With one final qualifier left, Nigeria’s World Cup dream is still alive. All eyes will now turn to the decisive match against Benin Republic, where victory could send them flying toward the 2026 World Cup in North America.
For fans back home, this win is a reminder that no matter how tough the journey gets, the Super Eagles can always rise again.
