Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign is set to begin this week with teams preparing to go through the gruelling two-year campaign that many view as the hardest path to qualification in world football.
Nigeria will be coming into the game hoping to get off to a winning start as they look to forget the memories of failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup at the final hurdle against their biggest rivals, Ghana.
Lesotho will be coming into this game with some confidence after they topped their group in the COSAFA Cup and went all the way to the final, where they unfortunately lost 1-0 to Zambia.
Nigeria vs Lesotho
Thursday 16 November, 17:00
Godswill Akpabio Stadium
Nigeria’s heartbreak of failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup will be at the forefront of everyone’s memory in the buildup to their opening game on Thursday night. Having drawn the first leg of the final playoff match 0-0 in Ghana, the fortunes were certainly in Nigeria’s favour going into the second leg which would be hosted in Nigeria. Despite going on to draw the game 1-1, the away goal for Ghana counted as double and put Ghana through to the World Cup Finals for the fourth time.
Nigeria will have confidence coming into this game though as the Super Eagles finished top of their group in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification phase. Taking 15 points from six games, losing just once, saw them take the joint second most points of any team across all the groups, while they also finished with the most goals scored by any team.
On the other hand, Lesotho disappointed in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification as finished rock bottom of their group with just one point thanks to a goalless draw with the Ivory Coast on the opening game.
Lesotho may have improved since then, with them topping their COSAFA Cup and making it to the final before losing to Zambia, but they did arguably have rather favourable draws. However, getting to a final of a major competition is still some achievement regardless of how they got there. This is sure to provide huge confidence coming into this competition.
Bet9ja Tips
Despite the confidence that Lesotho may have coming into this game, there is no doubt that Nigeria are coming into this game as strong favourites. With the firepower that Nigeria boast in forward areas we expect this game could be filled with goals and you can get odds of Nigeria to win and over 2.5 goals of 1.62 with Bet9ja.
Victor Osimhen remains a doubt for this game as the striker is yet to make an appearance since being subbed off during the last international break with a hamstring injury. With this, it is likely that Victor Boniface could start for the Super Eagles and we fancy the inform striker to score for his country. You can get odds of Boniface to score of 3.00 with Bet9ja. While Kelechi Iheanacho is 3.50 to add to his 14 goals for his country.
Bet9ja Odds (at time of writing): Nigeria win: 1.16, Draw: 7.20, Lesotho win: 15.00
Booking Codes: 5QD3NHK, 5QD3PKN
