Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle has rallied his players to maintain focus and secure a vital victory against Lesotho in their penultimate 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Chelle emphasized the unpredictability of football and the importance of approaching the match with intensity and determination.
“Everybody can go to the World Cup. This is football. Anything can happen during a game because of the weather, the referee, or an injury,” Chelle said.
“We need to stay focused on what we want from this game — to get the victory — and then move to the next one. Lesotho is a great team with a good coach, so we must start with a lot of intensity and aggression to score and win.”
The Super Eagles are coming off strong training sessions and are determined to capitalize on their preparation.
Echoing his coach’s sentiments, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong underlined the team’s commitment to securing all three points.
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“We’re approaching this the same way we approached the game against South Africa. It’s important for us to go for the win,” Ekong stated.
“We respect Lesotho — they’ve done well in the group and picked up points against us before. It’s going to be an important game for both teams.”
Ekong highlighted the team’s rigorous preparation, noting, “We’ve had very good training sessions. We’re focused and looking forward to the game.”
The captain stressed the need for urgency, recognizing that a victory would significantly boost Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The Super Eagles are determined to assert their dominance and keep their World Cup dreams alive.
With the group standings still fluid, a win in Polokwane would prove decisive in Nigeria’s campaign.
The game will kick off at 5:00 p.m. local time at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane.
