Super Eagles Scrape Past Lesotho 2-1 to Keep World Cup Dream Alive

Troost-Ekong's penalty and a debut goal from Akor Adams seal a hard-fought victory, but a late scare exposes lingering defensive fragility as the race for the 2026 World Cup reaches a thrilling climax.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured a vital, albeit unconvincing, 2-1 victory over Lesotho on Friday in their penultimate 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Playing at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, Nigeria struggled for fluidity but managed to bag the crucial three points needed to stay firmly in the race for the sole automatic ticket from Group C.

Goals from skipper William Troost-Ekong and debutant Akor Adams proved just enough to overcome a stubborn Lesotho side, whose late strike ensured a frantic and nerve-wracking finish for the Nigerian contingent.

Goalless First Half Dampens Spirits

The Super Eagles, under the tutelage of Eric Chelle, came into the fixture knowing that anything less than a win would effectively end their World Cup ambitions. Despite fielding a strong attacking lineup, including Victor Osimhen, the team looked flat in the first half.

Dominating possession but lacking creativity and the clinical edge in the final third, Nigeria failed to break down Lesotho’s resilient defense. Goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane was rarely troubled, and the first 45 minutes ended goalless, leaving the Super Eagles faithful increasingly anxious.

Second Half Breakthrough and Debut Delight

The crucial goals came in a more energetic second half. The breakthrough arrived in the 55th minute when Nigeria was awarded a penalty after a Lesotho defender was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. Captain William Troost-Ekong stepped up and coolly dispatched the spot-kick into the bottom corner, giving Nigeria a vital lead.

The advantage was doubled in the 80th minute courtesy of a beautiful moment of teamwork and a debut for the history books. Substitute Akor Adams, who replaced Tolu Arokodare, was played through by a smart pass from Osimhen and finished with clinical composure to net his first-ever goal for the senior national team, seemingly putting the game to bed at 2-0.

Defensive Lapse Sets Up Tense Finish

However, just three minutes after taking a two-goal lead, Nigeria’s familiar defensive frailties resurfaced. In the 83rd minute, a lapse in concentration from a corner kick saw goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali misjudging the flight of the ball, allowing Lesotho’s Hlompho Kalake to pounce and pull one back for the Crocodiles.

The late goal galvanized Lesotho and created a frantic finish, with Nigeria almost conceding an equalizer in stoppage time after a defensive mix-up, but the shot narrowly missed the target. The final whistle brought a sigh of relief for the Super Eagles, securing the 2-1 scoreline.

The Final Showdown

The victory moves Nigeria up in the group standings, but the qualification picture remains complex due to results in other Group C matches.

With Group leaders Benin Republic also winning their fixture, the race for the top spot will go down to the final matchday. Nigeria must now achieve a convincing victory over Benin Republic in their final qualifier next week to stand any realistic chance of securing the sole automatic qualification slot for the 2026 tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

The Super Eagles got the three points they desperately needed, but the unconvincing performance and the late scare serve as a stark reminder that improvements are essential for their must-win final match.