The Super Eagles boosted their chances of joining the 2026 World Cup train with a hard fought 2-1 victory over the Crocodiles of Lesotho in Polokwane on Friday.
Though the result did not alter the standings on the Group C table as Nigeria remain in third though on 14 points, while Benin held tight to the leadership of the group on 17 points with an away 1-0 win against Rwanda.
South Africa occupies the second position on 15 points after they were shocked by Zimbabwe, who held them to a goalless draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in South Africa.
Ten man Zimbabwe built an inpenetrable wall in the heart of their defence, and held on until South Africa also lost a man towards the end of the game for both teams to end the game with ten me.
It was a match Nigerian football officials had hoped Benin will lose but Gernot Rohr’s men were able to grind out a result they wanted badly from Rwanda’s Amavubi on the road.
The Super Eagles had to fight hard to get a vital win in Polokwane to brighten their chances of taking the group C decided to the last day of the qualifiers on Tuesday.
It was however a nervy and tensed match as the Crocodiles almost punished the Super Eagles in the dying minutes of added time when goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali slapped the ball and gave away the ball to Lesotho’s player, whose finishing just missed the net by inches.
The Super Eagles in the first half had dominated the match largely due to Lesotho’s Crocodile’s choice to defend deep,but the usual lack of creative ability to unlock defences and the depth and urgency in their attack all through the first half denied the Eagles.
A handball by defender Motlomelo Mkwanazi in the 55th minute handed Nigeria a penalty goal, which was slotted in by Captain Troost-Ekong.
After the goal, the Super Eagles seemed to had gone to sleep and then struggled to sustain the pace of game before the opener, even the hardworking Victor Osimhen got missing at some point, while Ademola Lookman got booked in the game which turned physical, and will miss the final match in Uyo against Benin Republic.
Akor Adams who was making his debut for the Super Eagles after coming in for Tolu Arokodare, quickly made an impact by scoring the second goal for the Super Eagles in the 80th minute.
It looked like the guarantee goal for the Eagles before Homplo Kalale rattled the Super Eagles in the 83rd minute after Stanley Nwabali fumbled with a cross, to hand Lesotho a consolation.
Despite the pressure from Lesotho, the Super Eagles ran down the clock and head to Uyo to plot how to defeat Benin Republic with a least three goals and hope that Rwanda stops South Africa from taking all points on Tuesday.
Benin top the group C chart with 17 points with a goal difference of +5, South Africa have 15 points with +3, while the Super Eagles are on 14 points and a plus three goals difference”
