Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and 15 other Super Eagles players began training in Polokwane, South Africa, on Tuesday ahead of Friday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.
Fifteen of the 16 players who arrived earlier took part in the evening session, which kicked off at 6 p.m. local time, bringing the total number of players on the pitch to 17. Defender Benjamin Federick arrived later and is expected to join Wednesday’s training, raising the camp count to 18.
The team’s camp officially opened on Monday at The Ranch Hotel in Polokwane, with head coach Eric Chelle and his technical crew already in place.
Among those who trained were captain William Troost-Ekong, Osimhen, Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Frank Onyeka, Terem Moffi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Stanley Nwabali, and Adebayo Adeleye, among others.
The match will take place at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in South Africa, as Lesotho currently has no FIFA or CAF-approved venue to host international fixtures.
This clash is pivotal for Nigeria’s qualification hopes. Following FIFA’s recent ruling that awarded Lesotho a 3–0 win over South Africa, the group standings have tightened: South Africa and Benin now lead with 14 points each, while Nigeria and Rwanda follow with 11, and Lesotho sit on nine.
With only two games left, the Super Eagles must win both remaining matches, against Lesotho and Benin (in Uyo), to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Two victories could see Nigeria climb to 17 points, which may be enough to secure a ticket to the 2026 tournament, depending on other results.
Kickoff for Nigeria vs Lesotho is set for Friday at 4 p.m. Nigerian time at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
