Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face Lesotho in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Thursday evening.
The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo will host the World Cup qualifier.
The Super Eagles’ head coach, Jose Peseiro, has already named his 23-man roster to face Lesotho.
Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho, Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, Fulham’s Alex Iwobi, Brentford’s Frank Onyeka, and Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi and Olaoluwa Aina are among the players in Peseiro’s squad.
Against Lesotho, Peseiro will be without crucial players such as Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze, and Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi.
Since 2007, Nigeria and Lesotho have played three games, with the 2013 AFCON Champions winning all three.
When they host Leslie Notsi’s side, the West African giants will be expected to do the same.
Nigeria is in Group C of the FIFA World Cup qualification for 2026.
Following that, they will face Zimbabwe, Benin, South Africa, and Rwanda.
Nigeria enters the game after defeating Mozambique 3-2 and drawing 2-2 with Saudi Arabia in their previous friendly matches in October.
Prior to the last two friendly matches, the Super Eagles have lost eight games and won five under Peseiro, who took over as head coach on May 15, 2022.
When asked about the World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Lesotho, Wakanda FC midfielder Alpha Markus Sidi told Platinum Times that despite the absence of Osimhen and Ndidi, Peseiro’s men have the players to do the job.
“It will be a tough game but I expect Nigeria to take advantage of playing at home and beat Lesotho. The Lesotho game will be their first match of the World Cup qualifying series and it is very important to start with a win.
“I also expect the Super Eagles to be too strong for Lesotho despite the absence of Osimhen, Ndidi and Chukwueze.”
Asked to name the Super Eagles players to watch out for, Sidi added, “Obviously, Awoniyi, he scored for Nottingham Forest over the weekend. He recently came back from injury and he is in form. I expect him to do well in this game, lead the attack in Osimhen’s absence and also be on the scoresheet.
“Another player to watch out for is Frank Onyeka, who plays for Brentford in England. He has been brilliant for the Super Eagles in their previous games, so I expect him to control the midfield in Ndidi’s absence. Ola Aina is another player to watch out for. He is a regular player for Nottingham Forest. He gave an assist against West Ham in their last game and even scored a goal against Aston Villa some days ago. I expect him to shine against Lesotho.
“Finally, the man from Atalanta, Lookman. He is a very good player who can dribble past opponents, so he should also have a good game against Lesotho.”
Asked for his prediction, Sidi said, “2-0 in favour of the Super Eagles.”
The kick-off time for Nigeria vs Lesotho is 5 pm.