The World Cup Qualifiers match between Nigeria and Lesotho will take place at Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Thursday at 9:30 pm IST.
Nigeria aims for a successful start to their CAF World Cup qualifying journey as they host Lesotho at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in the opening Group C match on Thursday. Grouped with Benin and South Africa in what is perceived as the challenging “group of death,” Nigeria is the frontrunner to lead the standings. However, Lesotho, along with Rwanda and Zimbabwe, possesses the potential to cause upsets in this highly competitive group.
Nigeria clinched the top spot in their AFCON qualifiers group, despite a 1-0 home defeat to Guinea-Bissau. Winning five out of six matches, the Super Eagles emerged victorious by a two-point margin. They showcased their offensive prowess, finishing as the highest-scoring team in the qualifiers with 22 goals, including a dominant 6-0 win against Sao Tome and Principe. Currently on a five-match unbeaten streak, Nigeria achieved four victories and a draw, with notable performances in friendly matches like a 3-2 win against Mozambique. Disappointed by their failure to qualify for the last World Cup, the Super Eagles are determined to make amends in the upcoming qualifiers.
Lesotho faces potential challenges in Group C, particularly after a disappointing African Cup of Nations campaign. Despite finishing at the bottom of their group in the AFCON, featuring Zambia, Ivory Coast, and Comores, and earning only one point, a commendable 0-0 draw against Ivory Coast at home, a strong performance in the upcoming match could uplift their confidence. Notably, Lesotho displayed significant improvement in the COSAFA Cup earlier this year, topping their group with six points in three games and reaching the final, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to Zambia. This achievement in a major continental tournament likely provides Lesotho with a confidence boost for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria probable starting lineup: Adeleye, Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Omeruo, Sanusi, Iwobi, Ndidi, Simon, Onyeka, Aribo, Osimhen
Lesotho probable starting lineup: Moerane, Mkwanazi, Sello, Makepe, Malane, Lebokollane, Lesaoana, Mokhachane, Bereng, Sefali, Brown
Nigeria
| Opponents | Score |
|---|---|
| Mozambique | 3-2 (W) |
| Saudi Arabia | 2-2 (D) |
| Sao Tome and Principe | 6-0 (W) |
| Sierra Leone | 3-2 (W) |
| Guinea Bissau | 1-0 (W) |
Lesotho
| Opponents | Score |
|---|---|
| Ivory Coast | 0-1 (L) |
| Zambia | 0-1 (L) |
| Malawi | 2-1 (W) |
| Angola | 2-4 (L) |
| Mozambique | 1-0 (W) |
| Last 2 matches- Results | Score |
|---|---|
| Nigeria beat Lesotho | 3-0 |
| Nigeria beat Lesotho | 4-2 |
The World Cup Qualifiers match between Nigeria and Lesotho will take place at Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Thursday at 9:30 pm IST.
| Nigeria vs Lesotho | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Date | November 16 |
| Venue | Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| Kickoff time in Nigeria | 5:00 pm (Thursday) |
| Kickoff time in Lesotho | 6:00 pm (Thursday) |
| Kickoff time in India | 9:30 pm (Thursday) |
Football fans internationally can catch the live action via FIFA+ while those in Nigeria can watch the match live via AIT National.
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