Lesotho’s head coach, Leslie Notši, is optimistic about their important 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria. This match is part of CAF Qualification Group C, where Nigeria, Benin, and South Africa are competing for one qualifying spot. Currently, Lesotho is fifth in the group with nine points from eight games, making their chances of advancing slim. However, Notši believes his team is prepared for the challenge.
The match will take place today at Peter Makoba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa. Notši mentioned that his squad is at full strength and they have “nothing to fear” from their strong opponents.
During the pre-match conference, the 61-year-old coach recognized the difficulty of facing Nigeria. “We are fortunate that we don’t have any serious injuries. We are in good shape for this tough match against one of the best teams on the continent,” he said. He acknowledged that Nigeria features top players who compete in major European leagues.
Despite this, Notši aims to challenge Nigeria, recalling their 1-1 draw in November 2023. “We know this match won’t be easy, but our previous experience gives us confidence. We believe we can pick up where we left off last time,” he noted. He expressed hope that their recent performances would enable Lesotho to secure valuable points. Historically, Nigeria has won two of their last three encounters with Lesotho over the past six years.