Nigeria kept their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive with a tense 2–1 away win over Lesotho in Polokwane.
Captain William Troost-Ekong opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 55th minute after a handball in the box. Substitute Akor Adams doubled the lead in the 80th minute, finishing coolly after being set up by Victor Osimhen.
Lesotho hit back almost immediately through Hlompho Kalake in the 83rd minute and nearly snatched a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time when Stanley Nwabali and Semi Ajayi collided, but Fusi Matlabe’s effort drifted just wide.
The victory leaves Nigeria third in Group C, one point behind South Africa and three behind leaders Benin, who beat Rwanda 1–0.
Only the group winner qualifies automatically. Nigeria must now defeat Benin in their final game and hope Rwanda take points off South Africa to top the group. If Nigeria and South Africa both win, goal margins could still come into play.
Benin will host Nigeria in Uyo in a high-stakes showdown made even spicier by the presence of Benin coach Gernot Rohr, Nigeria’s former manager, who beat them 2–1 in the reverse fixture last year.
South Africa missed a key chance to take control after they were held 0–0 by 10-man Zimbabwe in Durban, despite multiple chances and a red card to their opponents.
With one round left, Group C remains wide open — but Nigeria cannot afford anything less than victory.
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