Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is hoping his side will maintain focus on the task of securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup ahead of their clash against Lesotho on Friday.
Nigeria face Lesotho in their penultimate match of the qualifying campaign, hoping to secure a win to revive their chances of clinching the available automatic ticket from the group.
The three-time African champions ended the last round of qualifiers with faint hopes of reaching the showpiece event, but received a massive boost following the sanction on South Africa.
FIFA disciplinary committee docked the Bafana Bafana three points for fielding an ineligible player in an earlier schedule against Lesotho, throwing the group wide open.
Benin Republic and South Africa are separated by goal difference at the top of the standings, with Nigeria three points adrift in third position.
“Everybody can go to the World Cup. This is football — anything can happen during the game because of the weather, the referee, injuries, or other factors. So, we need to stay focused on what we want from this game”, Eric Chelle said in an interview.
“We want to have this victory, and after that, there will be another game. So, for sure, we must be 100% focused on this match tomorrow against Lesotho — a great team with a good coach.”
The Super Eagles will also be boosted by the return of star striker Victor Osimhen, who was injured in the last qualifying rounds.
The Galatasaray forward’s presence was greatly missed as Nigeria struggled to convert chances in a 1-1 draw against South Africa in Bloemfontein.
“We need to start well, with a lot of intensity and aggressiveness, to score and to win this game”, the Nigerian coach added.
Nigeria head to the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday evening, where they battle Lesotho, before facing Benin Republic next Tuesday.
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