November 14, (THEWILL) – The Super Eagles of Nigeria are preparing for their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe on November 16 and 19. Players have arrived in camp and begun training, as they aim to bounce back after missing out on the 2022 World Cup.
Key stars like Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze will be absent, allowing others to step up and stake their claim to squad positions. The team has been warmly welcomed by fans and officials in Nigeria as they gear up for the clash against Lesotho, at Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Thursday.
Manager Jose Peseiro will be looking for a strong performance to kick off Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying campaign. With Osimhen and Chukwueze missing, the onus will be on the likes of Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi, to provide creativity going forward.
Defensively, the Super Eagles will need to aim for a clean sheet for the sake of beginning with a goal difference tally that will spell out their defensive credentials. A positive result could provide a much-needed morale boost as Nigeria aims to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
After the Lesotho match, focus will shift quickly to an away clash against Zimbabwe three days later. Two victories would put Nigeria in a strong early position in Group C, as they battle for one of five World Cup spots allocated to Africa.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
