Do-or-die clash: Nigeria face Lesotho in must-win World Cup qualifier

Nigeria’s quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup faces a critical test on Friday when they take on Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.

The high-stakes Group C encounter kicks off at 6 p.m. GMT, with both sides still mathematically in contention for a place at next year’s global showpiece.

Lesotho enter the fixture second from bottom in the group with nine points, having managed two wins, three draws, and three defeats in eight outings.

Their qualification hopes suffered major blows in September when they endured consecutive heavy losses — 3-0 to South Africa and 4-0 to Benin.

Still, the Crocodiles are clinging to faint hopes of progressing. They sit five points adrift of joint leaders Benin and South Africa, and could leapfrog both if they secure maximum points in their remaining games while the top two falter.

For Nigeria, Friday’s clash represents a must-win scenario. The Super Eagles occupy third place in Group C, level on 11 points with Rwanda but ahead on goal difference.

Despite managing only two wins so far, Nigeria’s consistency has kept them in contention — with five draws and just one defeat testifying to their resilience.

Their qualification campaign remains precarious, however.

With only two group matches left, the Super Eagles trail the leaders by four points and must collect maximum points from both fixtures while hoping South Africa and Benin drop points.

Anything less would leave the three-time African champions facing another painful World Cup absence.

Recent performances offer cautious optimism. In September, Nigeria edged Rwanda 1-0 before holding South Africa to a 1-1 draw, results that kept their hopes alive.

The challenge now is to turn those hard-fought draws into victories as the race for qualification reaches its climax.

With pride, history, and qualification on the line, the Super Eagles cannot afford another setback. Victory in Polokwane would lift them above Lesotho and set up a decisive finale in their final group game.

Anything short of three points, however, could all but end their dream of reaching the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.