MOKOPANE, South Africa (AP) — Nigeria’s Super Eagles kept their 2026 World Cup qualification hopes alive on Friday after a hard-fought 2–1 win over Lesotho, with debutant Akor Adams scoring the decisive goal in the final minutes at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The win lifts Nigeria’s spirits after a shaky qualifying campaign, moving them closer to the top of Group C and keeping their dream of reaching the World Cup alive.

Captain William Troost-Ekong opened the scoring in the 53rd minute after Lesotho defender Motlomelo Mkwanazi was penalized for a handball inside the box. Troost-Ekong made no mistake from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Nigeria a deserved lead.

Nigeria dominated possession but struggled to convert their chances. Victor Osimhen, who returned to the starting lineup after recovering from injury, came close to doubling the lead but saw his effort saved by the Lesotho goalkeeper.

The breakthrough finally came in the 80th minute when Akor Adams, making his debut for the Super Eagles, calmly finished a low cross from Osimhen to extend the lead to 2–0. The 24-year-old forward’s composure in front of goal marked a dream start to his international career.

Lesotho, however, refused to go down quietly. In stoppage time, Hlompho Kalake took advantage of a defensive error to pull one back for the hosts, setting up a tense finish. Despite late pressure from Lesotho, Nigeria’s defense held firm to secure all three points.

The victory was crucial for Nigeria, who had dropped valuable points earlier in the qualifiers. With one match left in the group stage, the Super Eagles now sit just behind leaders Benin and South Africa.

Only the top team from each group automatically qualifies for the World Cup, while the four best runners-up will enter a playoff round. Nigeria will now need to beat Benin in their final group match, likely by at least two goals, and hope South Africa slips against Rwanda to claim the top spot.

Speaking after the match, Nigeria’s coach praised the team’s resilience and highlighted Adams’ performance as a sign of the squad’s growing depth. “Akor showed great composure and confidence,” the coach said. “It’s important we carry this momentum into the final game.”

The win also offered a morale boost to fans who had grown frustrated with the team’s inconsistent form. Supporters across Nigeria celebrated the victory on social media, hailing the Super Eagles’ fighting spirit.

Nigeria’s final qualifier will determine their fate. A win against Benin could either send them directly to the World Cup or keep them in contention for a playoff spot, depending on other results in the group.

For now, the Super Eagles have reignited belief among fans — and with Adams’ debut heroics, Nigeria’s World Cup dream is alive once again.