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Tag: Lesotho

  • 2026 WCQ: Surprise! as Lesotho go top of Group C, Super Eagles drop to 5th after matchday 3

    2026 WCQ: Surprise! as Lesotho go top of Group C, Super Eagles drop to 5th after matchday 3

    Relatively unknown footballing nation of Lesotho are surprisingly topping group C  after match day 3 in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series in Africa.

    It would be recalled that Nigeria and South Africa picked up a point each in their much-publicised clash in Uyo on Friday, to leave less-fancied Lesotho perched on top of Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualification series.

    AFCON bronze medallist South Africa drew the first blood after 29 minutes, when Themba Zwane waltzed his way past the Nigerian defence and was left unchallenged to fire past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from close range.

    Before then, Paul Onuachu had headed over from close range a cross by the nifty Ademola Lookman in the third minute, and five minutes later, Alex Iwobi shot too high when presented with an opportunity to rattle goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

    At the other end, Nwabali got the capacity crowd cheering with a double save from Zwane and Iqraam Rayners in the 10th minute. Seven minutes later, Teboho Mokoena saw the ball kiss the croosbar from his sharp delivery off a 20-yard free-kick.

    After Zwane’s goal, it was Bafana all the way, and Benjamin Tanimu had to be diligent to avoid an own goal as Percy Tau and Zwane caught the Nigerian rearguard napping again.

    Nigeria restored parity with only a minute into the second half, when Alex Iwobi fed Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the box, and the Turkey-based midfielder turned brilliantly to lash past Ronwen Williams.

    Nigeria dominated afterwards, with substitute Samuel Chukwueze hitting the underside of the bar in a flowing move, Lookman shooting away from goal with three minutes left, and the Europa Cup final hero drawing a full-length save from Williams in added time.

    The draw means Lesotho, who defeated Zimbabwe 2-0 earlier on Friday, remain top of the group with five points, while South Africa, Benin Republic and Rwanda are on four points, with Nigeria on three.

  • Super Eagles vs Lesotho: PFAN calls for Peseiro’s axing

    Super Eagles vs Lesotho: PFAN calls for Peseiro’s axing

    The Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) Task Force has called for the sack of Super Eagles’ Coach, Jose Peseiro, over the dismal performance of the team against the Crocodiles of Lesotho.

    Harrison Jalla, Chairman of PFAN task force made the call on Friday, saying that the Super Eagles’ performance against Lesotho marked another inglorious journey with coach Peseiro.

    Recall the Super Eagles were held to a disappointing 1-1 home draw by Lesotho in a Group C Match Day 1 fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo on Thursday.

    “It was, indeed, a dismal performance by the Super Eagles against Lesotho under the watch of coach Peseiro.

    “This is a clear indication that Nigeria will be bundled out of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and may not qualify for 2026 World cup if Peseiro is not sacked immediately,” he said.

    The PFAN Task force boss noted that Peseiro was a baggage inherited from the immediate past Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board.

    He questioned what was there to emulate or carry over from a Board that according to him failed in all ramifications.

    “Before the emergence of the Ibrahim Gusau led NFF Board, Coach Peseiro had shown Nigerians through his woeful performances that he had no capacity to thinker a brand like the Super Eagles.

    “How did Gusau and his Board arrive at the decision to retain Jose Paseiro?

    “When are we going to wipe out this mental slavery of ‘it must be a European?’

    “What can this Portuguese coach offer the Super Eagles?” he asked.

    He recalled that other African countries like Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia and Cameroon showcased their indigenous coaches at the Qatar 2022 World Cup and wondered why Nigeria could not emulate such gesture.

    He stressed that Nigeria must be proud of what it had and engage indigenous coaches instead of relying on foreign coaches who had failed on several occasions.

    “What is wrong in engaging coaches like Emmanuel Amunike, Sunday Oliseh, Finidi George and some of the legions of ex-internationals we have.

    “We can invest in their training and retraining using a fund already provided for through the streams of FIFA funding.

    “Coach Stephen Keshi of blessed memory has proved that an indigenous coach can win the African Nations cup and even go beyond the second round of the world cup,” he said.

    He argued that a responsible football federation would have built on Coach Keshi’s legacy moving forward, adding that the hiring of Coach Gernot Rohr and Peseiro was a huge set back to Nigeria Football.

    “Enough of the emotional trauma, harrowing experience and pains to Nigerians occasioned by the irresponsible leadership of the NFF.

    “The Ibrahim Gusau led NFF must sack Peseiro now.

    “It is better to grow with our own indigenous coaches than wasting 70,000 dollars monthly on a coach whose stock in trade is to bring sorrow and pains to Nigerians in every game,” he said.

    The Super Eagles will trade tackles with the Warriors of Zimbabwe in their second group game of the 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Huye Stadium in Rwanda on Sunday.

  • BREAKING: Super Eagles play draw against Lesotho’s Crocodiles

    BREAKING: Super Eagles play draw against Lesotho’s Crocodiles

    The Super Eagles Coach on Thursday drew 1-1 with the Crocodiles of Lesotho in a Group stage of Group C of the  2026 World Cup qualifier in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

    The match was played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

    Speaking after the match, Eagles Coach Jose Peseiro who was not happy with the result, said the team played well but were unable to utilised their scoring chances, especially in the first half.

    “I’m not happy today with the outcome of the match. We dominated the game but unfortunately, we drew.

    “They were lucky, we missed so many scoring chances. The draw is not good for us, no one is happy but we hope to win the next match,” Peseiro said.

    Also speaking, the Head Coach of  Lesotho, Leslie Notsi, said that they had expected a very tough match with the  Eagles.

    Notsi said playing a draw was good for his team who came with respect for the eagles because of their standing.

    The coach said that playing a draw with Nigeria has given the team enough confidence to move to the next match.

    “We came knowing that it is going to be a very tough match, so played out our strength to make sure we score before the  Eagles.

    “Coming to Nigeria and getting a draw will give us more confidence. We will be progressing gradually before we can talk of qualification,” Notsi said.

    Nigeria will play Zimbabwe in Rwanda in another Group C qualifier on Sunday.

  • FIFA World Cup 2026 Race: It will be difficult to beat Super Eagles – Lesotho coach, Leslie Notshi

    FIFA World Cup 2026 Race: It will be difficult to beat Super Eagles – Lesotho coach, Leslie Notshi

    Leslie Notsi the head coach of Lesotho has tagged Nigeria’s Super Eagles as one of the biggest teams in Africa.

    The Crocodiles are billed to face with the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Thursday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo in their first game in the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday.

    The Super Eagles are the overwhelming favourites to win the game.

    Notsi admitted that it would be a herculean task to beat the Super Eagles but stated that his team would give their best against the three-time African champions.

    “We are playing a tough fixture against one of the best footballing countries in Africa and the world, a team that has qualified for the World Cups,” Notsi told reporters.

    “You know we are expecting a tough encounter, a team made up of very fantastic players, a fantastic coach and our expectation is to have a very tough match and we are taking this opportunity as a young football nation growing to come and play against the best so that we can help the exposure and experience.”

    The encounter will kick off at 5pm Nigeria time.

  • Lesotho’s crocodiles arrive Uyo for Super Eagles’ clash on Thursday

    Lesotho’s crocodiles arrive Uyo for Super Eagles’ clash on Thursday

    The Lesotho national football team the Crocodiles on Tuesday evening arrived Uyo to ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture against the Super Eagles of Nigeria

    Findings show that the Crocodiles arrived the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday night.

    The contingent spent the night in Lagos before connecting another flight to Uyo on Tuesday.

    They are lodged at the Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo.

    Leslie Notsi’s side are expected to have their first training session on Nigerian soil later this evening.

    Lesotho will face the Super Eagles at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Thursday.

    The Super Eagles will travel to face Zimbabwe in Kigali next week Wednesday.

  • 2026 World Cup Race: Delegation of Crocodiles storms Lagos on Monday

    2026 World Cup Race: Delegation of Crocodiles storms Lagos on Monday

    The delegation of Lesotho’s senior men national team, known as Likuena (Crocodiles) for Thursday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifying series Day 1 encounter with the Super Eagles of Nigeria will arrive in Lagos on Monday night aboard a Kenyan Airways flight.

    Thenff.com can reveal that the delegation will sleep over in Lagos, and then fly into Uyo on Tuesday morning where players and officials will be accommodated at the Ibom Hotel and Resorts.

    The match officials, including the contingent of Tunisian referees, are also expected to arrive in Uyo on Tuesday ahead of Thursday’s battle.

    Officials of the Super Eagles have already arrived in the Akwa Ibom State capital, with the players expected to start trooping into town on Monday.

  • 2026 World Cup Qualifier: Super Eagles to begin quest for ticket with clash against Lesotho

    2026 World Cup Qualifier: Super Eagles to begin quest for ticket with clash against Lesotho

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup against South African footballing nation, Lesotho.

    The match will take place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on November 13.

    The Super Eagles will visit Harare next to set up a clash with the Warriors of Zimbabwe one week after the Lesotho clash.

    The qualifying series will continue in June 2024 with Nigeria hosting the Bafana Bafana of South Africa before a tricky away tie against neighbours Benin Republic.

    The Eagles will then continue the marathon qualifying series with a trip to Rwanda followed by a home tie versus Zimbabwe in March 2025.

    They then face Rwanda in a reverse tie in August 2025, before a trip to South Africa the following month.

    Their final round of qualifiers in October 2025 will be away to Lesotho and at home against Benin.

    The winner of the group will pick automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup that will be co-hosted by United States, Canada, Mexico.

  • AFCON qualifier: Super Eagles thrash Lesotho 3-0 in Lagos

    AFCON qualifier: Super Eagles thrash Lesotho 3-0 in Lagos

    Super Eagles of Nigeria defeat Lesotho in the AFCON qualifiers group L match in Lagos.

    A first-half strike from Victor Osimhen and second-half goals from Oghenekaro Etebo and Paul Onuachu helped the three-time African champions end their Group L campaign with an unbeaten record of six games.

     

  • BREAKING: CAF clears Iwobi to play against Lesotho

    BREAKING: CAF clears Iwobi to play against Lesotho

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has cleared Super Eagles star, Alex Iwobi to play against the Crocodiles of Lesotho.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Iwobi can now play in Tuesday’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier game after further tests showed he is negative to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    Officials in Benin Republic had earlier claimed the Everton man’s test returned a positive result.

    That forced him to miss the 8-year jinx breaking fixture against the Squirrels of Benin last Saturday.

    “CAF has cleared Alex Iwobi to play today’s game against Lesotho. The Super Eagles player had earlier tested positive following the COVID-19 tests conducted on the Super Eagles squad on arrival in Porto Novo, Benin Republic.

    “However, Alex Iwobi’s further COVID-19 tests have returned negative. Clina Lancet Laboratories in Victoria Island, Lagos conducted the PCR tests. With this, Alex Iwobi is up selection today,” a statement emanating from the Super Eagles camp reads.

    TNG reports the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the development.

  • AFCON qualifier: Lesotho arrive Lagos ahead of Super Eagles clash

    AFCON qualifier: Lesotho arrive Lagos ahead of Super Eagles clash

    The Lesotho senior national team are in Lagos ahead of Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualification fixture versus Nigeria.

    After landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the Crocodiles headed for their hotel and they are expected to have a feel of the Teslim Balogun Stadium later on Monday evening.

    The Southern African side played out a 0-0 draw against Sierra Leone at the Setsoto Stadium on Saturday. However, they would be hoping to put up an impressive display against their hosts.

    In this encounter, both teams are expected to play for pride as nothing is at stake since Gernot Rohr’s men have already booked their place in Cameroon, while the visitors won’t scale through even if they get a win.

    Notwithstanding, Thabo Senong’s men – who sit at the base of the table with just three points – are gunning for their first win after five matches.

    In the reverse fixture played in Maseru, the 2013 African kings claimed a 4-2 win– with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen netting a brace while Villareal’s Samuel Chukwueze and Everton’s Alex Iwobi were also on target.

    Lesotho got their goals through Masoabi Nkoto’s 11th minute strike plus Chidozie Awaziem’s own goal.

    Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football has appointed Fabricio Duarte to handle the fixture.

    The Cape Verde official will be assisted by compatriots Jorge Correia Semedo Helio (assistant one), Delgado Wilson Jorge (assistant referee two) and Antonio Manuel Rodrigues (fourth official).

    Uganda’s Haruna Mawanda is the match commissioner while Ghana’s Alex Kotey will be referees’ assessor.