Lesotho captain Sekhoane Moerane has insisted that the Crocodiles will not be intimidated when they face the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their 2026 World Cup qualifier in Polokwane later today, October 10.
The match, set for the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, will see Lesotho aiming to finish their qualifying campaign on a positive note, even though they are already out of contention for a World Cup spot. The clash is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. (Nigerian time).
Ahead of the game, Moerane said his teammates fully respect Nigeria’s status as one of Africa’s football powerhouses but are determined to stand their ground.
“Going into tomorrow’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,” Moerane said at the pre-match press conference on Thursday.
The Crocodiles had held Nigeria to a surprise 1-1 draw in Uyo last November, a result that remains one of the shock moments of the qualifiers. With nine points from eight games, Lesotho are playing for pride, while Nigeria need a win to stay in the race for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Super Eagles, led by coach Eric Chelle, have been under growing scrutiny after an inconsistent run in the group. Anything short of victory in Polokwane could put their qualification hopes in serious doubt before Tuesday’s decisive home clash against the Benin Republic.
Meanwhile, Benin coach Gernot Rohr has described his team’s final two matches, against Rwanda and Nigeria, as the biggest in the nation’s football history.
“These matches against Rwanda and Nigeria are the two most important matches in the history of Benin, I think. The players are aware of that,” Rohr told journalists.
