Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has said his players need to have a strong start against Lesotho in Friday’s Group C, matchday 9 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Polokwan, South Africa.
The Super Eagles will hope to keep their World Cup qualification dreams alive by going for the three points against Lesotho.
When both teams clashed on matchday 1 in Uyo, the Super Eagles came from a goal down to force a 1-1 draw thanks to a Semi Ajayi goal.
It has been a disappointing campaign for the Nigerian team who have only managed two victories, five draws and one defeat.
After eight matches played the AFCON 2023 runners-up are third on 11 points, three points behind leaders Benin Republic and second placed South Africa.
Also Read: 2026 WCQ: I just Have To Give What I Can For The Team –Akor Adams
Ahead of the crucial encounter, which is the first of two fixtures for the Super Eagles, Chelle pointed out that focus would be key for his players.
“This is football anything can happen, could be because of the weather, because of the referee, because of injury,” he said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.
“So we need to stay focus about what we want from this game, to have this victory. We need to stay focus on this game against Lesotho, a great team with a good coach and we need to be very focus to start well in this game with lots of intensity, aggression to score and win this game.”
Also speaking at the presser, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong have to respect Lesotho because they got a point off them when both teams clashed in the reverse tie.
“We are approaching this the same way we approached South Africa, it’s important for us to go for the three points. We have to show Lesotho respect because they picked up point against us.
“So it’s going to be an important game for both of us, we’ve had two good training sessions and we look forward to the game tomorrow.
By James Agberebi
4 Comments
Yen yen yen, oga ade you aren’t starting the match tomorrow pls.
I recall that when the qualifiers started, we were here joking that Rohr will qualify Benin to the mundial. Here we are, it’s about to happen!
What a monumental shame and disgrace it will be for NFF ONIGBESE if it does happen.
Rohr would have succeeded in qualifying a team that is way below us in any football ranking that exists anywhere AHEAD OF US to the world cup. The same Rohr that NFF sacked for reasons best known to them.
If that happens, the next logical step is the immediate resignation of all the NFF leaders and the yeye technical director.
Immediate resignation.
Regarding tomorrow’s game and our problem at right back,, is it possible that Olakunle Olusegun can do for us what Amad does for Man United? They have the same playing style, and Amad does a decent job, especially as a right wing back. Olusegun might be a good stop gap option.
It’d vital that our strikers get a steady supply of crosses into the box. QUality crosses. If they are well supplied, we should get the goals we need. But if Moses Simon especially continues to play the way he does, with no quality crosses in 90 mins, then it’s gonna be a long, long day! Chele needs to be strong and drop whoever needs to be dropped, We need result tomorrow. Nobody’s ego is bigger than the team.
This is terrible. Nigeria should never be in this situation.
Even if we win, we fit no still qualify, that’s the crazy thing about our current position. All these would have been dealt with from the beginning of the qualifiers, but we decided to do anyhow.