Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong and defender Calvin Bassey have vowed that Nigeria will fight to the last whistle in their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic. Speaking ahead of the key fixtures, the duo emphasized the team’s determination to secure all possible points to boost Nigeria’s chances of advancing.
The penultimate group game against Lesotho is scheduled for October 10, 2025, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa. It is a must-win for Nigeria to keep alive hopes of topping the group and qualifying for the World Cup. The final match will be against Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Troost-Ekong, who leads the team’s defense, expressed confidence in the squad’s unity and resilience despite recent challenges and injuries to key players. Bassey echoed this sentiment, urging Nigerians to support the team as they aim to overcome tough opposition and nail down vital victories.
Coach Eric Chelle has named a strong squad led by the experienced captain with key attackers like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon spearheading the offense. The squad will need to perform at their best to navigate the challenges posed by Lesotho, who have surprised many teams by claiming wins over South Africa and Zimbabwe.
With a compact midfield and solid defensive lineup, Nigeria is expected to play an aggressive and tactical game to exploit opportunities and prevent conceding goals.
Fans and analysts alike are optimistic that with determination from leaders like Troost-Ekong and Bassey, the Super Eagles can secure qualification to the 2026 World Cup. The atmosphere will be electric as Nigeria chases one of the coveted spots from Group C.