2026 WCQ Nigeria v Lesotho: Match preview, what to expect, team news, key players, kickoff time

The Super Eagles will face Lesotho in the first 2026 World Cup qualifiers of both sides on Thursday evening.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the last edition of the tournament having been by Ghana in the last qualification round but have qualified for the competition on six occasions.

Conversely, the Crocodiles are yet to qualify for any edition of the FIFA World Cup 

Match preview 

 

Both sides have met four times in the past and Nigeria have won on all occasions, conceding just two goals and scoring 10.

Undoubtedly, the three-time African champions head into the game as clear favorites and Lesotho head coach Leslie Notsi has humbly admitted that.

The Southern African nation can prove to be a hard nut to crack and they showed that most recently in the AFCON qualifiers where they conceded just one goal over two legs against another African giants, Ivory Coast.

What to expect

The gulf in class between Nigeria and Lesotho is as clear as the daylight and that will have a massive influence on the game.

 

The West Africans are expected to play in a 4--4-2 formation which has been the most used set up under José Peseiro.

The Super Eagles should dominate the game and will concentrate their attacks largely on the flanks with full-backs pushing up to combine with  the forwards

On the other hand, the Crocodiles will try to absorb the pressure, exploit the spaces left behind by Nigeria's full-backs and will also try to make the most of set pieces.

 

They play mostly with a 4-2-3-1 formation which can change to a 4-5-1 formation while defending.

It might not be the easiest of game for José Peseiro but they should be able to get the maximum points in the encounter.

 

Confirmed team news

 

Bruno Onyemaechi reported for international duty with a small knock but trained fully with the rest of the squad on Wednesday, which puts him in contention to be available for selection. 

 

Manager Jose Peseiro has not confirmed whether or not Onyemaechi will be given game time against the Crocodiles. 

 

The Boavista left-back has gone the distance in the last three games played by the Super Eagles - the only outfield player in the squad to do so.

Key players

 

1.  Alex Iwobi: The Fulham midfielder will be Nigeria's creative spark from the middle of the part, helping the home side to dominate the proceedings and break down the Crocodiles.

 

2. Victor Boniface: The Bayer Leverkusen forward is expected to be one of the main attacking threats for the West Africans in the absence of Victor Osimhen.

 

He has two goal involvements in 3 appearances for the six-time World Cup participants and Peseiro will be hoping he can add to his tally in the encounter.

3.  Jane Thabantso:  He is Lesotho's all-time top scorer and most-capped player.

Capable of playing from the flanks or leading the attack, the 27-year-old's experience and quality will be needed if the Crocodiles are to pick anything from the encounter 

4. Neo Mokhachane:  He was the Crocodiles' top scorer at the COSAFA Cup played earlier this year and arguably their most in-form player.

He can play from either the left or right wing which makes him dangerous on the counter and the reason why the Super Eagles will have to be wary of him.

 

Kickoff time and venue

The match will be staged at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state and scheduled start at 1700 hours Nigerian time.

    

 

 

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

 

 

 

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