By Akinwale Kasali
The Super Eagles of Nigeria has brightened its 2026 FIFA World Cup hope with a slim 2-1 victory over the Crocodiles of Lesotho at the Peter Mokoba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.
The Coach Eric Chelle team started the match like a house on fire dictating play, but their dominance did not metamorphose into anything meaningful.
The first half ended goalless with the Super Eagles failing to create any good scoring opportunities.
As the second half commenced, the Super Eagles grew into the game, piling pressure on their opponents, leading to handball by a Lesotho that gave the team a penalty.
William Troost-Ekong converted the spot kick to give the Super Eagles the lead.
Substitute, Adams Akor scored the second goal after a good exchange of passes with Victor Osimhen.
Nigeria never rested on its oars as it mounted more pressure, with the Lesotho Goalkeeper making vital saves to keep the scoreline at 2-0.
A misjudged corner kick by Nigeria Goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali led to the Lesotho Team scoring a consolation goal to keep the result respectable.
In the dying seconds of the match, a blunder from Nwabali and Oluwasemilogo Ajayi almost gave Lesotho the much needed equalizer, but the Lesotho played the ball wide to ease the tension on Nigeria.
In the other match, 10-man Zimbabwean Team held South Africa to a goalless draw, while the Squirrels of Benin Republic defeated the Amavubis of Rwanda by a lone goal courtesy of Tosin Aiyegun.
With the results, Benin Republic top the log with 17 Points, followed by South Africa with 15 Points, With the Super Eagles having 14 Points and third on the log.
The Super Eagles have to outrightly defeat the Beninoise side in their last Group match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, hoping that the Bafana Bafana of South Africa fail to defeat Rwanda in their last match.
A victory for the Super Eagles with at least three- goal margin, hoping that South Africa fail in it quest to beat Rwanda.
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