Nigeria moved closer to securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lesotho in their Group B qualifier on October 10, 2025. The match, played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, saw captain William Troost-Ekong convert a penalty in the 55th minute, opening the scoring for the Super Eagles. The team's confidence grew as Akor Adams doubled the lead in the 80th minute with a composed finish on his debut, assisted by Victor Osimhen.
Lesotho responded late through Hlompho Kalake, who gave the home crowd hope with a goal five minutes before full-time. Despite intense pressure in the dying moments, Nigeria’s defense held firm to secure the crucial win.
The victory lifts Nigeria to 14 points in the group, keeping their slim hopes of World Cup qualification alive ahead of the final qualifiers against Benin and South Africa. The Super Eagles showcased resilience and determination, although there were moments of struggle, particularly in midfield cohesion and finishing.
Head coach Eric Chelle’s side now face a pivotal final matchday where a positive result will be essential to clinch a ticket to the World Cup in North America next year.