Nigeria’s are running out of time to turn their World Cup 2026 qualification campaign around as they face Lesotho in a must-win penultimate match.
The Super Eagles currently sit third in Group C, with only top spot guaranteeing participation in the United States, Canada and Mexico next year. The four best second-place teams will then enter the ever-dangerous play-offs vying to qualify.
Placed three points behind Benin and South Africa in the two spots above them, Eric Chelle’s side will feel they need six points from six to give them any hope of either outcome, though their chances were recently boosted when Bafana Bafana were docked three points for fielding an ineligible player earlier in qualifying.
Lesotho will meanwhile look to cause an upset and effectively end Nigeria’s hopes of qualification by keeping their own World Cup dreams alive, with it still mathematically possible that the enclaved country can close the five-point gap between themselves and the top two.
Can Nigeria still qualify for the World Cup?
Last month’s 1-1 draw against South Africa left the three-time African champions six points behind Hugo Broos’s side, effectively ending their hopes of a seventh finals appearance.
However, South Africa’s 2-0 win over Lesotho in March was later switched to a 3-0 defeat due to Teboho Mokoena’s ineligibility for that fixture.
That means there are just three points separating the top three teams in Group C and Nigeria still have a chance to qualify.
Lesotho’s key stars will look to use familiar territory to their advantage, with South Africa–based stars such as captain Sekhoane Moerane, Thabo Makhele and Motebang Sera, all of whom featured for their respective clubs in the Premier Soccer League over the weekend, in the squad.
Chelle went into the international break without Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina and has since had to withdraw Bright Osayi-Samuel and Cyriel Dessers due to injury.
Nigeria will lean on the forces of Victor Osimhen, who has been in good form for Galatasaray since returning from his own spell on the treatment table.
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