World Cup (Q): ‘Football is unpredictable’ – Nigeria’s Chelle wary of Lesotho

Nigeria national team coach Eric Chelle has confessed that they will have to be at their best when they come up against Lesotho in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa on Friday.

The Super Eagles, will head into the matchday nine fixture seeking to close in on the top spot in Group C. Nigeria are currently lying third in the group with 11 points, three fewer than leaders Benin and second-placed South Africa.

They will come up against a Lesotho side, who are placed fifth with nine points accumulated from two wins, three draws and three defeats. For Nigeria, they have registered two wins, five draws and suffered one defeat.

Nigeria’s focus is on Lesotho qualifying game

“We have a game against Lesotho and they are a team that has strengths and weaknesses just like us, but we want to do the job. We want to win the game,” Chelle told reporters. “A great team and a great coach. Our focus is on this game and we will see what happens after this game. In football you have to respect everybody.

“Football is unpredictable. Everybody can go to the World Cup.”

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the player, defender and captain William Troost-Ekong said: “I think Lesotho and Bafana Bafana are two different teams, we feel comfortable here in South Africa for this game.

“We are approaching this game the same way we approached South Africa. It’s important for us to pick all the three points but we have to show Lesotho the respect. They have done well in this group and picked points against us also. So yah, it’s going to be an important game for both of us.”

After playing against Lesotho, Nigeria will return home to host Benin in their final group fixture at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, on Tuesday, October 14.

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