The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured a tense 2-1 triumph over Lesotho in Polokwane on Friday, keeping their faint hopes alive for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to Soccernet.ng.
After a largely uneventful first half, captain William Troost-Ekong stepped up to convert a penalty, followed by a confident finish from debutant Akor Adams that doubled Nigeria’s advantage.
Lesotho, however, capitalized on a defensive error to reduce the deficit, creating a nail-biting finish that Nigeria narrowly managed to withstand.
This win elevates Eric Chelle’s squad to third place in Group C with 14 points, trailing South Africa by a single point and Benin by three, the latter having secured an away victory in Rwanda.
Nigeria’s Tactical Setup
Coach Eric Chelle deployed a 4-4-2 formation, entrusting Stanley Nwabali with goalkeeping duties once again.
The defensive line featured Calvin Bassey and Troost-Ekong as central defenders, supported by Benjamin Fredrick and Bruno Onyemaechi on the flanks. In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi partnered with Alex Iwobi, while Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon provided width and pace on the wings.
Leading the attack, Victor Osimhen was paired with Tolu Arokodare, a duo intended to challenge Lesotho’s compact defensive setup. Despite this offensive arrangement, Nigeria struggled to establish momentum during the opening 45 minutes.
A Challenging First Half for Nigeria
The Super Eagles started with promise, creating early opportunities through Iwobi and Arokodare, but neither could capitalize.
Lookman’s frequent offside positions disrupted Nigeria’s attacking rhythm, while Lesotho gradually gained confidence as the half progressed.
Just before halftime, Simon’s corner found Arokodare unmarked, yet his header sailed wide, leaving Nigeria goalless and visibly frustrated at the break.
Second-Half Revival and Adams’ Impactful Debut
The match intensified after the interval.
Persistent wing play from Lookman forced a handball in the penalty area, allowing Troost-Ekong to redeem himself by calmly converting the spot-kick, following his earlier own goal against South Africa.
Shortly after, Osimhen came close to extending the lead, hitting the post after skillfully bypassing the goalkeeper. Substitute Akor Adams then secured the victory in the 80th minute with a composed finish following a precise assist from Osimhen.
By scoring on his debut, the Sevilla forward joined an elite group of Nigerian players, including Obafemi Martins and Brian Idowu, who have achieved this feat.
Despite the setback, Lesotho remained resilient. A late defensive blunder allowed them to pull a goal back, and Nwabali’s shaky handling nearly cost Nigeria an equalizer, but the Super Eagles held firm to claim all three points.
Looking Ahead for the Super Eagles
Nigeria’s path to qualification remains precarious, but this victory keeps them within striking distance of the top two spots.
Meanwhile, Benin edged Rwanda 1-0, and South Africa was held to a goalless draw by a ten-man Zimbabwe side.
With a crucial fixture against Benin still to come, Chelle’s team must secure a win against the Cheetahs and hope for a slip-up from South Africa to enhance their qualification chances.
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