Nigeria secured a crucial three points to keep their World Cup qualification dreams alive as they beat Lesotho 2-1 in Polokwane. A goalless first half highlighted many of the Super Eagles’ weaknesses as they struggled for creativity and cutting edge despite the return of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman to the squad, but the breakthrough came shortly after half-time. Motlomelo Mkwanazi’s handball gifted Nigeria a penalty, which captain William Troost-Ekong drilled home to establish an early lead.
Akor Adams, making his senior Nigeria debut, made it two as the clock wound down, beating his man with a deft feint before drilling a low finish across goal to confound the otherwise impressive Sekhoane Moerane. Hlompho Kalake halved the deficit late on, firing home after Stanley Nwabali’s flapped at a cross and fumbled his clearance, but the equaliser eluded Lesotho.
After South Africa drew 0-0 with Zimbabwe, the result brings Nigeria within one point of Bafana Bafana. Benin’s win, though, has them in pole position to secure automatic qualification. Catch up with all the action from Lesotho vs Nigeria as it happened below!
Lesotho vs Nigeria latest news
- GOAL! Kalake pulls one back
- GOAL! Adams scores on debut
- GOAL! Troost-Ekong from the spot
- Nigeria XI
- Lesotho XI
FULL TIME: Lesotho 1-2 Nigeria
18:53 , Arthur FerridgeA huge win for Nigeria!
Lesotho 1-2 Nigeria
18:53 , Arthur Ferridge90+5mins: An unbelievable gaffe from Nigeria at the back hands Lesotho a golden opportunity to score, but the shot is just narrowly wide.
Lesotho 1-2 Nigeria
18:49 , Arthur Ferridge90+2mins: Shocking! A wonderful team move from Lesotho ends with a badly scuffed shot, and the play is called dead with two players down in the box having knocked heads.
Lesotho 1-2 Nigeria
18:48 , Arthur Ferridge90+1mins: Maklabe shoots wide from the edge of the area.
Lesotho 1-2 Nigeria
18:47 , Arthur Ferridge90mins: Five added minutes.
Lesotho 1-2 Nigeria
18:43 , Arthur Ferridge86mins: This is a frantic finish - Lesotho break away down the right and see another effort saved as they push for an equaliser.
GOAL! Lesotho 1-2 Nigeria | Kalake '83
18:40 , Arthur FerridgeThat is an absolute howler from Nigeria. Nwabali comes out to claim the corner but flaps at it, and Kalake is all too happy to sweep up, dinking one home to make this a nervous finish.
GOAL! Lesotho 0-2 Nigeria | Adams '80
18:37 , Arthur FerridgeIt's two for Nigeria, and that must be the win secured! Osimhen found him in the middle in a two-on-two break, and Adams does brilliantly to beat his man and smash a powerful finish into the bottom right.
Lesotho 0-1 Nigeria
18:36 , Arthur Ferridge79mins: Another header from Osimhen is caught by Moerane.
Lesotho 0-1 Nigeria
18:35 , Arthur Ferridge79mins: Close for Osimhen! He shoots from a tight angle, but his effort is tipped onto the post.
Lesotho 0-1 Nigeria
18:33 , Arthur Ferridge77mins: Yet another Nigeria attack ends with the linesman’s flag up. Osimhen is well offside.
Lesotho 0-1 Nigeria
18:30 , Arthur Ferridge73mins: To their credit, Lesotho are staying remarkably composed under this constant pressure from the Super Eagles.
Lesotho 0-1 Nigeria
18:27 , Arthur Ferridge71mins: Chukwueze replaces Lookman for Nigeria.
Lesotho 0-1 Nigeria
18:27 , Arthur Ferridge70mins: Motebang goes down high on the left flank, and Lesotho have a chance to equalise from a threatening free-kick. The cross is headed behind.
Lesotho 0-1 Nigeria
18:22 , Arthur Ferridge65mins: Lookman is booked for his reaction after being subject to a cheeky late tackle from Matlabe, who is down in a heap.
Lesotho 0-1 Nigeria
18:20 , Arthur Ferridge63mins: How on Earth is it still only 1-0! Osimhen races away and chips the keeper, but hits the post. A melee in the box ensues and Simon sees a shot blocked off the line.
Lesotho 0-1 Nigeria
18:19 , Arthur Ferridge63mins: Arokodare is withdrawn, and on comes Jerome Adams.
Lesotho 0-1 Nigeria
18:18 , Arthur Ferridge61mins: Ndidi’s header from Simon’s cross is errant.
Lesotho 0-1 Nigeria
18:17 , Arthur Ferridge60mins: Iwobi smashes another one goalwards on the half volley, but it is mere centimetres over the bar after Moerane’s intervention.
Lesotho 0-1 Nigeria
18:15 , Arthur Ferridge59mins: A dubious decision from the referee as Ndidi is tripped in the box and it looks to be a stonewall penalty, but the referee is not having it!
Lesotho 0-1 Nigeria
18:14 , Arthur Ferridge57mins: Nigeria are looking to build after breaking the deadlock here, and Iwobi forces another save with a long shot.
GOAL! Lesotho 0-1 Nigeria | Troost-Ekong '54
18:11 , Arthur FerridgeTroost-Ekong takes the penalty from usual taker Osimhen, but makes no mistake. He places it nicely into the bottom-right corner.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
18:10 , Arthur Ferridge53mins: PENALTY TO NIGERIA! There’s a handball in the box from Mkwanazi, and Osimhen has the chance to put the Super Eagles ahead!
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
18:08 , Arthur Ferridge51mins: Lesotho keeper Moerane is down injured.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
18:07 , Arthur Ferridge51mins: That’s a great chance for Arokodare, who can’t quite get the crucial touch he needed to finish off Lookman’s cross.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
18:07 , Arthur Ferridge50mins: A Nigeria forward has hit the ground in the box, but the referee waves away any appeals!
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
18:05 , Arthur Ferridge48mins: To look around the grounds, both South Africa and Benin’s matches are currently goalless, so a draw would not be devastating for Nigeria should the other results hold.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
18:04 , Arthur Ferridge47mins: A bright start to the second half from both sides. A reminder that this is effectively a must-win match for Nigeria if they are to preserve their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup.
2ND HALF: Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
18:02 , Arthur FerridgeBack underway!
HALF TIME: Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:46 , Arthur FerridgeDeadlocked at the break.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:46 , Arthur Ferridge45+1mins: Arokodare gets his head to the corner, but his effort is well wide.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:46 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: We are into one added minute, and Nigeria have a corner. Can they break the deadlock before half-time?
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:42 , Arthur Ferridge43mins: This match has been dull enough that the commentator is currently opining on the quality of the pitch.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:41 , Arthur Ferridge41mins: A blistering break from Lesotho has the ball in the box. Jane takes a snap shot from the edge of the box, but launches it high into the stands.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:37 , Arthur Ferridge37mins: Lookman does well to find Osimhen in the box, but his half-hearted bicycle kick does not trouble the Lesotho keeper.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:36 , Arthur Ferridge36mins: Osimhen gets a shot away, but his header is comfortably into the hands of Moerane.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:35 , Arthur Ferridge36mins: There’s a chance for Lesotho here, but the cross is just barely too high for Motebang.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:34 , Arthur Ferridge34mins: Motebang appears to have pulled Bassey’s hair here, and the Fulham man is apoplectic. The referee has a word, but does not punish the Lesotho man.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:33 , Arthur Ferridge32mins: Nigeria are having a really tough time breaking Lesotho down here. Their best chances have come from hitting long balls over the top, but those have been badly overcooked more often than not. With the ball on the ground, they are totally confounded by Lesotho’s low block.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:30 , Arthur Ferridge30mins: Another Nigeria attack comes to an awkward end. Osimhen heads a cross back across the box but Lesotho clear.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:28 , Arthur Ferridge28mins: Nwabali goes down after clashing with Bassey off the ball, but the referee wants nothing to do with it. Nigeria race down the opposite end, but Moerane is quick off his line to clear the danger.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:27 , Arthur Ferridge27mins: Some consternation in the Nigeria squad here - Ndidi looks frustrated with his lack of passing options as he gets on the ball. Not quite happening for the Super Eagles so far.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:24 , Arthur Ferridge24mins: Sloppy play in the middle from Iwobi, who inexplicably pings one into touch from the centre of the park to halt the Super Eagles’ latest attack.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:22 , Arthur Ferridge22mins: The corner comes to nothing amid a chorus of vuvuzela song.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:21 , Arthur Ferridge21mins: Lesotho come forward now, but their attack ends with an over-hit cross-field ball to Malane, who can’t get it under control. Nigeria counter and win a corner.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:19 , Arthur Ferridge19mins: Lookman dances in off the left but tries to beat one too many and is dispossessed in the centre of the park.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:16 , Arthur Ferridge17mins: Bassey goes up for an aerial and lands hard under contact from Jane. He looks to be in a bit of pain, but drags himself back to his feet and will play on.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:15 , Arthur Ferridge15mins: Lookman hoofs a long ball into the Lesotho box, and Moerane panics under pressure from Osimhen. He just about hooks it away, though.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:13 , Arthur Ferridge13mins: Iwobi has a rip from close to 30 yards, but nothing comes of it. Easy stop for Moerane.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:12 , Arthur Ferridge11mins: Lookman’s cross to Arokodare is headed narrowly over the bar.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:08 , Arthur Ferridge8mins: Nigeria have started this match very much on the front foot. They have kept Lesotho pinned throughout the opening exchanges, but the hosts are just about hanging on.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:06 , Arthur Ferridge6mins: Osimhen gets in behind but is flagged offside. The replay reveals he was, in fact, onside, but there is no VAR here, so the line-o’s call stands.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:05 , Arthur Ferridge5mins: Onyemaechi plays a smart ball into Iwobi in the box, and he does well to beat the keeper, but can’t quite keep the ball in play.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:02 , Arthur Ferridge2mins: Osimhen gets away in the corner, but his cross is cut out before it can find Arokodare.
Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:01 , Arthur Ferridge1mins: Not a huge amount of fans in the ground, but those who have turned up are making a point of serenading the squads with an orchestra of vuvuzelas.
KICK-OFF! Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria
17:00 , Arthur FerridgeWe’re off!
Here come the squads
16:53 , Arthur FerridgeThe players are out, and kick-off is fast approaching.
Just ten minutes to kick-off!
16:50 , Arthur FerridgeAlmost time to go here in Polokwane!
LESOTHO TEAM NEWS
16:46 , Arthur FerridgeAt long last, Lesotho name their squad.
Lesotho starting XI: Mkhwanazi, Toloane, Rapuleng, Motebang, Ts’otleho, Matlabe, Moerane, Malane, Matsua, Makhele, Mokokoane
Subs: Mosoeu, Mofoko, Monyaka, Mphalaole, Makhetha, Kalake, Mokhachane, Ntaitsane, Sefali, Moqokola, Snyder
Lookman returns
16:35 , Arthur FerridgeAdemola Lookman is back in the fold today... but should he be?
The Atalanta star is yet to score or assist in five matches this season, four of which were starts.
Can he break his duck today?
Lesotho form
16:20 , Arthur FerridgeLesotho come into this match on a challenging run of form.
They last won a match in June, losing four matches by an aggregate score of 14-0 since.
Nigeria squad
16:07 , Arthur FerridgeEric Chelle seems to have gone with two strikers today, as Wolves’ Arokodare lines up next to Osimhen.
Troost-Ekong comes back into the fold after scoring an own goal and being hooked at half-time last time out.
Ademola Lookman also cracks the starting XI.
NIGERIA TEAM NEWS
16:01 , Arthur FerridgeHere are tonight’s Super Eagles.
Nigeria starting XI: Nwabali; Frederick, Bassey, Ekong, Lookman, Ndidi, Onyemaechi, Simon, Iwobi, Arokodare, Osimhen
Subs: Adebayo, Sanusi, Ajayi, Onyeka, Chukwueze, Abdullahi, Obasogie, Uche, Moffi, Adams
Why were South Africa deducted points?
15:50 , Arthur FerridgeNigeria’s dreams of reaching the 2026 World Cup have been boosted after South Africa were docked three points for fielding an ineligible player in a qualifying match.
Teboho Mokoena appeared for Bafana Bafana in a 2-0 win over Lesotho in March despite being suspended for accumulating too many yellow cards in previous matches.
The star midfielder, who plies his trade at club level for Mamelodi Sundowns, completed 82 minutes of the match.
After being pressured to open an investigation, FIFA have annulled South Africa’s win in the match.
After drawing with South Africa in September, Nigeria’s hopes of playing at the World Cup were all but dashed.
The result left them six points adrift of Bafana Bafana, who sat atop the group in its only automatic qualifying berth.
That deficit has now been halved, with two matches left to play. Nigeria will face Lesotho away before hosting new group leaders Benin in the last matches of their World Cup qualifying campaign.
The South African Football Association has been ordered to pay a CHF 10,000 (£9,334.95) fine on top of the sporting penalty. They have the option to appeal the decision, and must do so within ten days.
Last time out
15:35 , Arthur FerridgeNigeria were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by South Africa in their previous international outing.
After losing talisman striker Victor Osimhen through injury ahead of the clash, Ola Aina was struck down with a hamstring issue with just six minutes played.
Nigeria’s tough start continued as Bright Osayi-Samuel, Aina’s replacement, was dispossessed in the box to hand Oswin Appollis the first shooting chance of the evening, though he was denied by a smart parry from Stanley Nwabali.
Al-Ettifaq’s Mohau Nkota made a nuisance of himself on the right flank throughout the evening and forced the opener with a low cross after 25 minutes. Troost-Ekong, Nigeria’s captain on the night, tripped over his own feet and bundled the ball into his own net before being hooked at half-time.
Bassey emerged as the Super Eagles’ unlikely hero moments before half-time, rising highest in the box to head home clumsily from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s cross.
A goalless second half was not without chances. Both sides went close, with Tolu Arokodare particularly threatening after his half-time introduction, but neither could find the all-important winner.
Christantus Uche was introduced late on as the Super Eagles pushed to claim all three points, but he shot well wide from the edge of the area deep in injury time and Nigeria were forced to split the points.
Why is this match being played in South Africa?
15:20 , Arthur FerridgeLesotho are tonight’s hosts, but the match will not be played at their traditional home ground - the Setsoto Stadium.
We will instead journey to the 45,500 capacity Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
The Setsoto Stadium in Maseru is the usual home ground of Lesotho, but they have not played there for quite some time.
It was condemned by FIFA in 2021 after falling into a state of disrepair.
The Lesotho FA attempted to renovate it last summer, but ran out of money before the necessary improvements could be completed.
What do tonight's matches mean?
15:10 , Arthur FerridgeSouth Africa and Benin are currently tied on points atop qualification Group C, though Bafana Bafana trail on goal difference.
Nigeria sit three points behind, but only trail their goal difference by one. Should they win tonight and see South Africa lose, they could go top of the pile.
Only the group winner will automatically qualify.
South Africa face Zimbabwe this evening, kicking off simultaneously with Nigeria.
Score prediction
15:00 , Arthur FerridgeThe Super Eagles will come into the match knowing exactly what is on the line. They have been handed a second chance at qualifying for the World Cup after South Africa were hit with a points deduction, and a win here could send them on their way.
To compare the squads, Nigeria are head and shoulders above their hosts, most of whose players still ply their trade in the Lesotho Premier League.
While they have not been performing at their best in recent internationals, this should prove a routine outing for Nigeria.
Nigeria to win, 3-1
Nigeria early team news
14:50 , Arthur FerridgeAfter he picked up an injury in the September international break, Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen is back in contention for the Super Eagles this evening.
He has played three matches since returning to the action, scoring from the spot as Galatasaray dispatched Liverpool in the Champions League league phase two weeks ago.
He will hope to continue that scoring form tonight.
There is a crop of other Premier League talent in the squad, including the Fulham trio Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samu Chukwueze.
Ola Aina will miss out after suffering a hamstring injury against South Africa in September.
How to watch Lesotho vs Nigeria
14:40 , Arthur FerridgeTV channel: This game will not be shown live on TV in the UK.
Live stream: However, you can stream the match live on FIFA+, the federation’s official streaming platform. Kick off is at 5pm BST.
Good afternoon
14:30 , Arthur FerridgeHello, and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Lesotho vs Nigeria!
This is a must-win match for the Super Eagles as they look to book their place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
Kick-off is at 5pm BST!
