Nigeria will be without the trio Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze and Wilfred Ndidi when they begin their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign with a home game against Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium Thursday (today).
The three-time African champions failed to qualify for the last edition of the World Cup in Qatar after playing a 1-1 draw with Ghana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja having played a goalless draw away from home.
In the Eagles World Cup qualifcation history, they have not missed out on two consecutive editions of the Mundial having qualified for six of the last eight tournaments since their first World Cup appearance in 1994 – missing only the 2006 and 2022 editions.
Despite being favourites heading into this fixture, the Eagles will not only aim to get the better of the Crocodiles in this encounter but also to pick the ticket to the Mundial ahead of South Africa, Benin Republic, Rwanda and Lesotho.
Currently on a five-game unbeaten run, the Eagles will be relying on the prolific form of Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, Taiwo Awoniyi and Terem Moffi to kick-start their qualification campaign on a winning note after Rwanda and Zimbabwe played out a goalless draw on Wednesday.
Speaking ahead of the encounter Lesotho coach, Leslie Notsi is optimistic that his team can curtail the pressure of the Eagles and their fans in Uyo.
“Our expectation is to have a tough match and we are taking this opportunity as a young football nation to get the exposure experience,”Notsi said.