Lesotho head coach Leslie Notsi has backed his team to turn up when they host the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying game at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Footynaija.com reports.
The Crocodiles kicked off the ongoing qualification series with a valiant 1-1 draw against Nigeria at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium back in November 2023 courtesy of goals from Motmolewo Mkwanazi and Semi Ajayi respectively.
Now both sides are set to lock horns again in the penultimate match of the qualification campaign and Lesotho boss Notsi believes his team can pick up where they left off almost two years ago.
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What Leslie Notsi said
“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 said at his pre-match press conference.
“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.
“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.”
The Crocodiles currently occupy fifth place in Group C after managing nine points from eight games. This effectively rules them out of the running for the World Cup ticket.
On the other hand, the Super Eagles need to secure all three points in Polokwane to keep their hopes of orchestrating a last-ditch rescue mission, for what has been a disappointing qualifying campaign, alive.
