Super Eagles Battle Lesotho in Crucial World Cup Qualifier Today - Things to Know

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By Alofe Ayomoses

Nigeria will seek to keep their 2026 World Cup hopes alive on Friday when they face Lesotho in Polokwane in their penultimate Group C qualifier.

The Super Eagles sit third in the group with 11 points from eight matches, three behind joint leaders South Africa and Benin. Their campaign was revived after FIFA docked South Africa three points and three goals for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, against Lesotho in March.

The fixture comes at the end of a turbulent qualifying run for Nigeria, who have worked under three coaches José Peseiro, Finidi George and Eric Chelle since the start of the campaign.

Despite losing only once, Nigeria’s five draws have slowed their progress. Lesotho, on nine points, have also shown resilience, defeating South Africa and Zimbabwe and drawing three matches.

The two sides last met in Uyo, where they drew 1-1. Nigeria had won their previous encounters in the 2019 and 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Nigeria will be without several players through injury, including Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Cyriel Dessers and Fisayo Ayodele-Bashiru. Lesotho report a full squad.

The match kicks off at 5:00 pm local time (1600 GMT) at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. It will be broadcast live on SuperSport Football.

Probable line–ups:
Nigeria (4-4-2): Nwabali; Fredrick, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Onyeka, Iwobi, Lookman; Simon, Osimhen.

Lesotho (4-3-3): Moerane; Malane, Makhele, Monyaka, Matlabe; Matsau, Toloane, Bereng; Thabantso, Makateng, Motebang.