It is simply a must win clash for Nigeria as they take on Lesotho in a crucial World Cup 2026 qualifying match in Group C in CAF qualification today.
Off-field issues have contributed to a major underperformance for Nigeria and they sit third in the group, three points behind both Benin and South Africa, despite having perhaps the most impressive squad in terms of personnel and talent on the continent.
The AFCON runners-up were winless in their first four matches in CAF Group C, with a 2-1 loss to Benin following three consecutive draws.
New head coach Eric Chelle came in and oversaw a morale-boosting 2-0 win in Rwanda, where Victor Osimhen bagged a brace to seal their first World Cup qualification win since November 2021. Since then they have drawn 1-1 in two of the three subsequent qualifiers and Zimbabwe and South Africa, winning the other against Rwanda to keep their fading World Cup hopes alive.
The Sporting News brings you the latest tips and betting odds as the Super Eagles seek to make a last-ditch attempt to qualify for next summer, starting with a clash at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane in South Africa.
MORE: What do Nigeria need to qualify for the World Cup?
Lesotho vs. Nigeria: Can the visitors keep their World Cup hopes alive?
The reverse fixture between these two sides back in November 2023 saw Nigeria once again underperform and held to a 1-1 draw, in yet another display of incompetence from the Super Eagles.
Lesotho have managed two victories and three draws in their eight qualifiers thus far, marking them out as reasonably difficult to beat, with Nigeria lacking any cohesion.
Despite that, the sheer amount of quality on display from the Nigerians has to mark them out as favourites, even if it is to be in a low-scoring encounter.
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Head-to-Head: Lesotho vs. Nigeria
- Nigeria are unbeaten in all five of the matches that they have ever played against Lesotho with four victories and that most recent aforementioned draw.
- The last game in which Nigeria were not at home in Lagos saw the Nigerians win 4-2 in qualification for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations back in 2017.
- Nigeria have scored 14 goals in their five games against Lesotho.
Lesotho vs. Nigeria: Form Guide
Lesotho – Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Benin 4-0 Lesotho (WCQ)
- Lesotho 0-3 South Africa (WCQ)
- Rwanda 1-1 Lesotho (WCQ)
- Morocco 7-0 Lesotho (AFCON Q)
- Lesotho 1-0 Central African Republic (AFCON Q)
Nigeria – Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- South Africa 1-1 Nigeria (WCQ)
- Nigeria 1-0 Rwanda (WCQ)
- Russia 1-1 Nigeria (Friendly)
- Jamaica 2-2 Nigeria, 5-4 win on pens (Friendly)
- Ghana 1-2 Nigeria (Friendly)
Lesotho vs. Nigeria Score Prediction
Lesotho have proven themselves to be difficult to beat and difficult to score against, at least in FIFA World Cup qualifying. Nigeria have shown that they have major issues in their goal scoring and attacking departments at the moment. Nigeria will be expected to get themselves over the line due to the need to do so and the quality that they have but it may not be pretty for the neutral.
Prediction: Lesotho 0-1 Nigeria (6/1 on Sky Bet)
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Lesotho vs. Nigeria Team News
Lesotho Team News
- Lesotho have a very limited squad and they are without two players with a bit more pedigree than the rest, Jane Thabantso and Thabiso Brown, who haven’t been selected since 2024.
- Their limited squad is throughout, with a reliance on goals from 31-year-old Hlompho Kalake, who has notched nine goals in 60 caps for his country.
- Aside from that, though, there are no major injury or suspension concerns for the Crocodiles to deal with.
Nigeria Team News
- Finding a balance has been key for the Nigerians and chopping down their attacking options has been a necessity with the likes of Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Boniface left out of the squad.
- They do still have a lot of talent, though, with Moses Simon alongside Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman, and star man Victor Osimhen.
- Nigeria do have one major injury concern as Nottingham Forest full-back Ola Aina remains sidelined for these crucial qualifiers over the October international break.
Lesotho vs. Nigeria Predicted Lineups
Here’s how we think the two teams will line up for this World Cup qualifying clash.
Lesotho predicted lineup to play Nigeria
Lesotho (4-2-3-1)
Stanek (GK); Doudera, Holes, Krejci, Zeleny - Soucek, Cerv - Kusej, Sulc, Provod - Chory
Out: None reported
Doubtful: None
Nigeria predicted lineup to play Lesotho
Nigeria (4-3-3)
Livakovic (GK); Jakic, Sutalo, Caleta-Car, Sosa - Modric, Sucic - Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic - Ivanovic
Out: Awaziem, Aina, Onyedika, Uche
Doubtful: None
Lesotho vs. Nigeria Betting Odds
- Lesotho to win (28/1 with Bet365)
- Draw (7/1 with SpreadEx)
- Nigeria to win (1/8 with Bet365)
Bet Builder Tips: Lesotho vs. Nigeria
Our bet builder for this game features Nigeria to win, under 3.5 goals in the match, BTTS – No and for it to be a draw at HT. This combination is priced at 4.27/1 with Sky Bet.
You can use our bet builder tool below to create your own selections and find the best available odds for this World Cup qualifying clash.
How to watch: Lesotho vs. Nigeria Live stream, TV channel
Here’s all the key information on how to watch Lesotho vs. Nigeria.
- Date: Friday, October 10
- Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa
- Time: 5:00 p.m.
- TV/Stream: FIFA+