The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face the Crocodiles of Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, on Friday evening, as the race for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches a crucial stage.
Former Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who has been a key player in Nigeria’s midfield for almost a decade, is eager to help the team secure qualification for another World Cup.
Following South Africa’s points deduction, Benin Republic now lead Group C and will need wins against Rwanda and Nigeria to guarantee a place at next year’s tournament in North America. Nigeria, however, still have hope — but they must win their remaining matches and hope Bafana Bafana drop points against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.
With just 180 minutes left to decide their fate, Ndidi stressed the importance of taking each game as it comes.
“We know where we are at the moment, and these two games are very crucial,” Ndidi told NFF TV.
“First, we look forward to the game against Lesotho before moving to Benin, but right now, the most important thing is our fixture tomorrow.”
Fulham defender Calvin Bassey also shared his thoughts, saying the Super Eagles must stay calm and focused under pressure.
“We have to remain calm and do what we have to. This is not the first time any of us have faced high-pressure moments for club or country.
We have an experienced team to handle the situation — it’s just about making sure we do everything right,” said the former Rangers man.
Team captain William Troost-Ekong added that the players remain optimistic about qualifying for the World Cup.
“We believe until the end — we never stop believing. We have two important games now. Friday’s the first one, and after that, we’ll return to Nigeria.
We’re focused and in good spirits. Everyone sees this as an opportunity, and we’re optimistic,” he said.
Nigeria’s clash with Lesotho will kick off at 5:00 PM (WAT) at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.