Nigeria claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lesotho in Polokwane to keep their 2026 World Cup qualification hopes alive. Despite a sluggish first half, the Super Eagles came to life in the second, with goals from William Troost-Ekong and Akor Adams sealing the win.
The match began with Nigeria dominating possession, showing early intent through Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. However, Lesotho’s compact defense proved difficult to break down. The first half ended goalless, with Nigeria struggling to find creativity and rhythm despite controlling the tempo.
After the restart, the Super Eagles looked sharper and finally made their pressure count. In the 60th minute, captain William Troost-Ekong opened the scoring after capitalizing on a defensive mistake from the hosts. The goal settled Nigeria, allowing them to play with greater confidence and freedom.
Lesotho tried to respond by pushing forward, but their lack of cutting edge limited their chances. Nigeria extended their lead in the 75th minute through Akor Adams, who finished calmly to double the advantage and seemingly put the game to bed.
However, the hosts refused to go quietly. Hlompho Kalake pulled one back for Lesotho late in the game, setting up a tense finale. Nigeria’s defense was tested in the closing moments, but they managed to hold firm and see out the victory.
The win places Nigeria firmly back in contention in Group C, keeping them within reach of top spot in the African World Cup qualifying race.
Man of the Match: William Troost-Ekong
The Nigerian captain led by example, scoring the opener and organizing the defense with composure. His leadership, aerial strength, and ability to read the game made the difference in a tight contest. Troost-Ekong’s performance not only steadied the team but also inspired confidence when the game looked to be slipping away.
COURTESY: sport
