It was a night of mixed emotions at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, as the Super Eagles of Nigeria sealed a vital 2–1 victory over Lesotho to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive, SportPremi reports.
Goals from captain William Troost-Ekong and forward Akor Adams gave Nigeria the edge in a tense encounter filled with pressure and determination. Lesotho managed to pull one back through Hlompho Kalake late in the game, but the Super Eagles held firm to claim all three points and move to 14 points in Group C.
“We’re Happy Because We Won the Three Points”
Speaking after the match, Nigeria’s head coach Eric Chelle expressed relief and pride in his players’ performance. He described the victory as a crucial step toward Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup dream and praised his team for their resilience under intense pressure.
“Today we are happy because we won the three points. We are still alive,”
Chelle told reporters after the game. “I’m happy for my players. I want to congratulate them. For us, we’ve felt the pressure since March. Every time my players come into camp, they feel it, because for Nigeria, for our team, we need to travel and we need to go to the World Cup. So we have a lot of pressure.”
Chelle on Pressure and Mental Strength
Chelle acknowledged that the Super Eagles have carried the weight of expectation throughout the qualification campaign. He noted that the pressure to qualify for the World Cup is immense, and it has sometimes affected the players’ confidence on the pitch.
“This is not an excuse, but it’s the reality,” he said. “Now maybe the other teams will take some of our pressure too. Playing a game without anything at stake is not the same football.”
The coach admitted that nerves were visible during the first half, as his team struggled to settle into the game and made a few technical errors. However, he praised his players for staying composed and finding a way to win despite the tension.
“In the first half, because we were under pressure, technically we missed some things,” Chelle explained. “It’s difficult to come on the pitch when there’s a lot of tension. But I’m so proud of my guys. I told them I’m proud of them.”
A Crucial Step Toward Qualification
The 2–1 win was an important result for Nigeria after a challenging qualification campaign. Chelle’s tactical decisions ensured balance between attack and defense, with Troost-Ekong leading by example and Akor Adams providing a strong presence up front. Nigeria’s dominance in possession and their defensive discipline were key to seeing out the game, even as Lesotho pushed hard in the closing minutes.
The result lifted Nigeria to third place in Group C, just behind South Africa and Benin, setting up a decisive final matchday that will determine who earns a direct ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Eyes on the Final Clash
Nigeria will now host Benin in Uyo in a match that could define their World Cup qualification fate. A win by two or more goals could propel the Super Eagles into a qualifying position, depending on the outcome of South Africa’s game against Rwanda. Chelle, however, remains cautious but optimistic that his players have learned to handle pressure better after this win.
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“We know the last match will not be easy,” Chelle said. “But we have shown today that we can fight until the end. If we stay focused, keep our discipline, and take our chances, I believe Nigeria will be in the World Cup.”
All eyes will be on Uyo, where the Super Eagles will look to secure their place among Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
