The Super Eagles have touched down in Polokwane, South Africa, gearing up for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho this Friday, according to Soccernet.ng.
Coach Eric Chelle and his technical team checked into The Ranch Hotel early Monday, as players arrived from their various clubs across Europe and Asia, connecting through Johannesburg.
Training sessions are scheduled to commence Tuesday morning at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, the very ground where Friday’s pivotal Group C encounter will unfold.
Defensive Concerns Amid Injury Setbacks
While the attacking lineup offers plenty of optimism, the defensive unit faces significant challenges due to injuries.
Felix Agu, who was expected to fill in at right-back after Bright Osayi-Samuel’s withdrawal, suffered an injury-rangers-ucl-club-brugge/” title=”Cyriel Dessers … Latest: Key Update Ahead of Rangers' Crucial UCL Showdown with Club Brugge”>ankle injury during Werder Bremen’s recent match and is now sidelined for Nigeria’s upcoming fixtures against Lesotho and Benin Republic.
Werder Bremen confirmed on Monday that scans revealed Agu will be out for several months due to the severity of his ankle injury.
Additionally, Nigeria’s preferred right-back, Ola Aina, remains sidelined until December after sustaining an injury during the last international break.
Meanwhile, Wilfred Ndidi, who is just returning from a prolonged absence, had a challenging performance for Galatasaray, losing possession that led to the equalizer in the Istanbul derby. The medical staff continues to monitor his fitness closely to determine his readiness for upcoming matches.
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Strikers Displaying Exceptional Form
The offensive line-up for Nigeria is firing on all cylinders. Victor Osimhen is regaining his sharpness after returning from injury, recently scoring the decisive goal against Liverpool in a midweek Champions League fixture.
The former Napoli forward also played a key role in Galatasaray’s thrilling 1-1 draw against Besiktas.
New call-up Akor Adams made waves in Spain by netting Sevilla’s fourth goal in their commanding 4-1 victory over Barcelona, ending the Catalan side’s 15-match unbeaten streak. Chidera Ejuke was credited with the assist for Adams’ goal.
Disciplinary Issues Pose Tactical Challenges
One of Chelle’s main concerns is managing player discipline.
As many as 11 players, including Ajayi, Bassey, Iwobi, Ndidi, Lookman, and Nwabali, are currently on yellow cards. Another caution in Friday’s match would result in suspension for the final group game against Benin Republic in Uyo.
Currently, Nigeria holds third place in Group C with 11 points, trailing leaders Benin and South Africa by three points.
However, Nigeria’s qualification prospects received a boost after CAF overturned South Africa’s 2-0 victory over Lesotho, ruling that Bafana Bafana fielded an ineligible player. This ruling awards Lesotho a 3-0 win, a development that could shift the group dynamics in Nigeria’s favor.
For Coach Chelle, this training camp in Polokwane is a critical period to strike the right balance between assertiveness and prudence as the Super Eagles pursue their 2026 World Cup dream.
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