Nigeria beat hosts Lesotho to set up tense finale in World Cup ticket chase
*Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong
Polokwane (South Africa), October 10, 2025 (BBCSports/CrestNewsOnline) Nigeria’s Super Eagles still have a chance of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals after registering a nervy 2-1 away win over hosts Lesotho in South Africa on Friday.
The Nigerians remain three points behind Group C leaders Republic of Benin, who grabbed a late 1-0 victory in Rwanda and are aiming to secure a place at the finals for the very first time.
South Africa are the other team in with a chance of topping the group, but their chances suffered a blow when they were held to a goalless draw on home turf by 10-man Zimbabwe in Durban.
Bafana Bafana are second, two points behind Benin and one clear of third-placed Nigeria.
Only the group winners are assured of a spot at the finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Nigeria host Benin in the final round of games on Tuesday and will leapfrog their West African rivals if they win by a two-goal margin.
However, South Africa could yet finish above both sides if they win their home game against Rwanda.
If the Nigeria-Benin game ends in a draw then Bafana Bafana will qualify with a win by three goals or more.
South Africa will also seal top spot if they win and the Super Eagles take all three points from the derby in Uyo.
The four best second-placed sides in African qualifying will still have a chance to reach the tournament via continental and inter-confederation play-offs.
But the congested nature of Group C means the side finishing second may not have enough points to progress.
Benin, South Africa, Nigeria, Rwanda and Lesotho all went into the penultimate round of games on Friday still in contention for automatic qualification.
That situation arose after world governing body FIFA imposed a 3-0 forfeit on South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in their win over Lesotho in March —- a sanction which saw Hugo Broos’ side drop behind Benin.
Nigeria knew that only a victory against Lesotho would keep them in the hunt.
Team captain William Troost-Ekong broke the deadlock in neutral Polokwane from the penalty kick spot early in the second half after Moses Simon’s shot hit the hand of Motlomelo Mkwanazi.
Debutant forward Akor Adams came off the bench to fire in a low shot for the visitors’ second goal with 10 minutes remaining.
But the Super Eagles almost threw away victory late on, with Hlompho Kalake instantly pulling one back as Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali failed to claim a corner-kick.
Soon after, he almost gifted Fusi Matlabe an equaliser deep into injury time after a mix-up with centre-back Semi Ajayi, and the visitors were relieved to see Matlabe’s effort drift just wide.
Nigeria must now beat Benin in the final round, while hoping Rwanda do them a favour in South Africa if they are to return to the World Cup after missing the 2022 finals in Qatar.
Extra spice will be added to the game in Uyo given that Benin are coached by former Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr, who guided the Cheetahs to a 2-1 comeback win in the reverse fixture in June last year.
Meanwhile, South Africa missed the chance to regain the initiative after their forfeit —- despite their nominal away game against Zimbabwe being held in Durban as their neighbours do not have a stadium fit to host international football.
In front of a packed stadium, Bafana Bafana failed to find a breakthrough as their opponents rode their luck, with Mohau Nkota hitting the post just before the break.
Lyle Foster also came close when he rounded the goalkeeper but his shot was cleared off the line by Divine Lunga.
Zimbabwe had captain Knowledge Musona dismissed in the 63rd minute for a second bookable offence before Burnley striker Foster saw a side-footed effort strike the base of the left-hand upright.
And there was more to come in a frantic finish.
The Warriors had a shot of their own blocked, South Africa midfielder Teboho Mokoena was denied, and Bafana Bafana centre-back Mbekezile Mbokazi was sent off deep into stoppage time for pushing his opponent to the ground.
South Africa’s draw means it is advantage Benin heading into Group C’s finale, after they triumphed on a tense visit to Kigali.
The visitors grabbed the only goal with nine minutes left.
Steve Mounie flicked on a long ball, Romaric Amoussou nudged past the onrushing goalkeeper and Aiyegun Tosin tucked into an empty net.
(BBCSports/www.crestnewsonline.ng)
*Edited by Olawale Lawanson Alabi
