THE Super Eagles have retained their faint hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating Lesotho 2-1 in Polokwane, South Africa tonight.
Meanwhile, Benin Republic took charge of the Super Eagles’ qualifying group by beating Rwanda away while South Africa played 0-0 with Zimbabwe in Durban.
Captain William Troost-Ekong scored from the penalty spot and debutant Akor Adams added the second before Lesotho pulled one back late on at the Peter Mokaba Stadium as the Super Eagles earned a nervy win.
Needing victory to stay in contention, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle fielded an ultra-attacking line-up with Victor Osimhen, Tolu Arokodare, Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman, but they struggled to find the breakthrough until the second half.
Despite being totally dominant in the first period, the Super Eagles created very little until late in the half.
Osimhen’s header in the 37th minute from a corner was not strong enough to beat the Lesotho goalkeeper, and Arokodare headed well wide while unchallenged following a corner kick in stoppage time.
The goal finally came 10 minutes into the second half, Troost-Ekong converting confidently after a penalty was awarded for handball in the Lesotho box.
Three minutes later, the Super Eagles were denied what looked like a nailed-on penalty when Wilfred Ndidi was brought down in the Lesotho area, the referee waving away Nigeria’s passionate appeals.
The Super Eagles were more threatening after the goal, with Alex Iwobi’s long-range shot tipped over by the Lesotho goalkeeper, and Ndidi heading over from the resulting corner kick.
Osimhen then saw his clever chip come off the base of the upright, with Moses Simon’s follow-up cleared off the goal-line.
The Galatasaray striker then forced a smart save from the Lesotho goalkeeper from a tight angle after substitute Samuel Chukwueze’s clever through ball.
Sevilla striker Adams, who replaced Arokodare 18 minures earlier, extended the Super Eagles’ lead with a superb finish in the 80th minute, beating his marker and firing home left-footed off Osimhen’s pass.
The closing minutes became tense as Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali gifted Lesotho a goal, pushing a harmless corner to Lesotho’s Hlompho Kalake, who scored from close range.
Nwabali almost cost the Super Eagles the victory with another howler, but the ball drifted just wide as the Chippa United goalkeeper and substitute Semi Ajayi let a harmless ball through.
In Durban, South Africa were held to a goalless draw by Zimbabwe, despite the Warriors losing Knowledge Musona to a 64th minute red card.
In Kigali, Benin Republic secured a 1-0 victory over Rwanda courtesy of a Tosin Aiyegun strike 10 minures from time to overtake South Africa as group leaders.
With one round of fixtures to end the group campaign, Benin Republic are on top with 17 points, two ahead of South Africa. The Super Eagles are third with 14 points, while Rwanda are fourth with 11.
In the final day of the series on Tuesday, the Super Eagles host Gernot Rohr’s Benin Republic, while South Africa are home to Rwanda, with only one automatic ticket available to the group.
RESULTS
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
Lesotho 1-2 Nigeria
Rwanda 0-1 Benin Republic