Nigeria kept their 2026 World Cup hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over Lesotho in their penultimate qualifier at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday, October 10.
Second-half goals from William Troost-Ekong and Akor Adams handed Eric Chelle's side three precious points in the race for a top-two finish with just one match left to play in Group C.
Hlompho Kalake pulled one back for the Crocodiles three minutes after the Super Eagles had doubled their lead and they held on to close within one point of South Africa, who could only manage a 0-0 draw with Zimbabwe.
The West Africans were expected to make short work of the designated home team in Polokwane, but they struggled to assert themselves in the first half and lacked creativity.
Sekhoane Moerane made three routine saves in the opening 45 minutes, with another three shots flying off target from Nigeria.
The visitors were gifted a penalty early in the second half after Motlomelo Mkwanazi handled the ball inside his own area, and Troost-Ekong made no mistake from 12 yards out to open the scoring.
Adams came on for his debut on 62 minutes, and it would be a day to remember as he sealed the win 18 minutes after his introduction from the bench.
Victor Osimhen found the substitute in space, and he cut the ball into his left foot before lashing a shot past Moerane to make it 2-0.
Kalake reduced the deficit soon afterwards as he capitalised on a poor clearance from Stanley Nwabali to score, but Nigeria saw out the final seven minutes to come away with a crucial win.
Lesotho (0) 1 (Kalake 83')
Nigeria (0) 2 (Troost-Ekong 55' PEN, Adams 80')
LESOTHO: S. Moerane, T. Malane, M. Mkwanazi, T. Makhele, R. Mokokoane, F. Matlabe, K. Rapuleng (M. Mphaolole 84'), L. Matsau, T. Toloane (H. Kalake 74'), S. Motebang (N. Mokhachane 74'), J. Tsotleho (T. Sefali 59').
NIGERIA: S. Nwabali, F. Godwin, W. Troost-Ekong, C. Bassey, B. Onyemaechi, M. Simon (Z. Sanusi 89'), W. Ndidi, A. Lookman (S. Chukwueze 71'), V. Osimhen (S. Ajayi 89'), A. Iwobi, T. Arokodare (A. Adams 62').
