2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Lesotho Captain Moerane Insists Crocodiles Won’t Fear Super Eagles Of Nigeria

10 Oct 2025, 12:11 by Ernest Victor · Naija News

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.

Benin can qualify for the World Cup for the first time if they beat Rwanda on Friday and follow it up with a win over Nigeria in Uyo. The Cheetahs shocked Nigeria 2-1 in June, a result that gave Rohr’s men renewed belief heading into the final stretch.

Naija News reports that Nigeria will return home after they clash with Lesotho for the crucial showdown against Rohr’s Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday.