The 2026 World Cup hopes of Nigeria are still very much alive after the Super Eagles beat hosts Lesotho 2-1 and Zimbabwe did them a huge favour by holding South Africa to a scoreless draw.
📹| Akor Adams’ first game for Nigeria and he made it count! 💥 Slick move, calm finish — Osimhen on the assist, debut goal locked in! 🦅🇳🇬#SuperEagles #LESNGA #234FootyXtra pic.twitter.com/IShtWwsSjV
— OJ (@_Omoruyi_) October 10, 2025
Benin consolidated leadership of Group C with a 1-0 win in Rwanda.
They now have 17 points from nine matches, three points ahead of Nigeria and the two teams clash in Uyo Tuesday with the outcome most possibly deciding the winners of this group.
South Africa remain second with 15 points, while Nigeria have 14 points.
After a scoreless first half, the Super Eagles finally opened scoring in the 55th minute from the penalty spot after a Lesotho defender handled a shot by Moses Simon inside the box.
The star-studded Super Eagles doubled their advantage on the 80th minute courtesy of debutant Jerome Akor.
He fired home courtesy of a great assist by Victor Osimhen.
However, three minutes later Lesotho pulled a goal back after some slack defending by the Super Eagles right inside the box to cause a nervous ending to a contest dominated by Nigeria.
