Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, has called on Super Eagles supporters to give their full backing to the team ahead of their decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic.
The Super Eagles secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Lesotho in Polokwane on Friday, thanks to goals from captain William Troost-Ekong and debutant Akor Adams. Despite a late goal from the Crocodiles, Nigeria held on to claim all three points and keep their qualification hopes alive.
Speaking after the match, Chelle praised his players for their determination and acknowledged the pressure they have been facing since the qualifiers began.
“Today, we are happy because we won the three points. We’re still alive, and maybe the journalists can do the mathematics,” Chelle said. “I’m happy for my players — I want to congratulate them. We feel the pressure, and since March, every time my players come into camp, they feel it too. For Nigeria, we need to go to the World Cup, so there’s a lot of pressure. This is not an excuse; it’s just the reality.”
The victory takes Nigeria to third place in Group C with 14 points — one behind South Africa and three behind group leaders Benin Republic, who won away in Rwanda.
Chelle admitted that the qualification race remains open but expressed confidence that his side can still make it if they stay focused and united.
“Maybe now, other teams will take some of that pressure too, and I’m happy about that. Because playing a game without anything at stake is not the same football,” he said.
“We need our fans behind us to put a lot of pressure on Benin Republic. We’re in Africa, so we need to make things tough for them. This is the World Cup qualifiers — the game starts when they set foot in our country. We need to do the job on the pitch.”
Nigeria will face Benin Republic in their final Group C match, knowing that only a victory — and a favourable result elsewhere — will keep their hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.