The Super Eagles are expected to start full training for the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho today, following the arrival of the players at the team’s Ranch Hotel, Polokwane, South Africa.
Lesotho will host Nigeria in the South African city on October 10 in the penultimate game of the ongoing 2026 World Cup African qualifying series.
Coach Eric Sekou Chelle led his backroom staff to South Africa on Sunday to prepare the camp ahead of the players’ arrival late yesterday.
Super Eagles Media Officer, Promise Efoghe, told The Guardian that the players were expected to hit the camp yesterday ahead of their opening training session in South Africa.
South Africa-based goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, was the first to arrive in the camp, and according to Efoghe, the rest of the players will be on the ground to start the team’s preparation for the match they must win to remain in contention for the 2026 World Cup ticket.
Nigeria is on 11 points, which is three behind leaders, Benin Republic and South Africa, with two games to go.
The Super Eagles must beat Lesotho on October 10 and also defeat the Benin Republic to stand any chance of picking the automatic Group C ticket if any of the top sides fumble in their games.
Benin Republic’s matches are away to Rwanda on Friday in Kigali and to Nigeria on October 14 in Uyo, while South Africa’s remaining matches are at home to Lesotho on Friday and Rwanda on October 14.
The winner of the group will qualify for the World Cup automatically, while the second-placed team stands a chance of qualifying for a playoff that will determine Africa’s representative at an inter-confederation playoff to determine the last team to make the World Cup later in the year.
