Nigeria face a crunch 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification double-header this month starting with a clash against Lesotho on October 10.
The Super Eagles are third in CAF's Group C of qualifiers. Only the top team is guaranteed a place at next year's finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico; the four best second-place teams will enter the playoffs. Nigeria are desperate for six points from their final two matches to give them a chance of either outcome.
Nigeria trail second-place South Africa by three points ahead of these final two rounds of qualifiers. Bafana Bafana were effectively docked three points after fielding an ineligible player earlier in qualifying, but they are appealing against that decision.
Eric Chelle's team have only lost one qualifier, but five draws from eight matches has severely dented their qualification hopes. A win against Lesotho, with the game being played in South Africa, and a home victory against Benin on October 14 are vital for Nigeria to stand any chance of making it.
MORE: Updated list of teams qualified for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Nigeria lineup vs. Lesotho: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest
Chelle is without Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina but Fulham trio Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze are all in the squad.
Victor Osimhen will lead the attack, with the 26-year-old in good form at Galatasaray, but there are no places in Chelle's roster for Victor Boniface and Kelechi Iheanacho.
The coach was forced to make two changes to his initial group after injuries ruled out Bright Osayi-Samuel and Cyriel Dessers. Porto left-back Zaidu Sanusi and Crystal Palace loanee Christantus Uche were brought in. Felix Agu is likely out with an ankle issue, so there are problems to solve in the full-back positions.
Chelle will also be mindful of suspension risks for some of his key players. Semi Ajayi, Bassey, Wilfred Ndidi, Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, and Stanley Nwabali would all miss the game against Benin should they receive a yellow card in this fixture.
Nigeria predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Onyemaechi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Sanusi — Ndidi, Onyeka — Iwobi, Lookman, Chukwueze — Osimhen
Injured: Aina (muscle), Agu (ankle), Osayi-Samuel (foot), Dessers (undisc.)
Suspended: None
Full Nigeria squad
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, Adeleye Adebayo
Defenders: William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Felix Agu, Benjamin Fredericks, Zaidu Sanusi,
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Wilfred Ndidi, Christantus Uche
Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Cyriel Dessers, Tolu Arokodare, Terem Moffi, Akor Adams, Olakunle Olusegun
Lesotho vs. Nigeria match details
- Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
- Kickoff time: 6 p.m. local / 5 p.m. BST
- Location: Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane (South Africa)
- Competition: CAF World Cup Qualifier
- Referee: Alhadi Mahamat (CHA)