World Cup (Q): Notsi says Lesotho going for redemption against Nigeria

Having suffered back-to-back defeat in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, Lesotho national team coach Leslie Notsi has vowed to go for redemption when they face Nigeria in their matchday nine fixture at Peter Mokaba Stadium, South Africa on Friday.

Lesotho lost their matchday seven fixture 3-0 against South Africa before suffering another 4-0 defeat against Benin. The defeats somehow punctured their qualification hopes but they received a lifeline after World governing body FIFA awarded them three points from their first round defeat against Bafana Bafana.

Notsi admits Nigeria will not be an easy target

“Fortunately, we don’t have any serious injuries that we can worry about coming into this fixture. So, It’s a clean bill of health for us,” Notsi told reporters. “A fixture that we are expecting a tough match playing one of the best in the continent. A team that consists of some of the best players on our continent playing in the best leagues in Europe.”

He added: “We are approaching this match knowing it’s not going to be easy, but the self-belief that we have had before, in our previous encounter. We believe we have an opportunity to continue where we left off in our last match in November 2023.

“Truly, it has given us hope to redeem ourselves in the last two fixtures we played. It has given us hope that we can secure points that we believe can put Lesotho at a better stage.”

Lesotho will not fear Nigeria

Likuena captain Sekhoane Moerane said: “Going into Friday’s game, we are not going to show fear because one thing we have to do is not to fear our opponents but we should give them respect.

“We will be going with a lot of respect but not showing fear and that simple means, we are going to go and give them our best of what we have. We are not doing anyone a favour but playing for our country, playing for Basotho.”

After playing against Nigeria, Lesotho will wind up their Group C matches against Zimbabwe at the same venue on Monday, October 13.

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