The Super Eagles of Nigeria have settled into Polokwane, South Africa, as preparations begin for Friday’s all-important 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.
Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe, has confirmed that the team’s camp opened on Monday at The Ranch Hotel in Polokwane.
The technical crew and support staff, led by head coach Eric Chelle, have already arrived. The players continue to arrive in batches through Johannesburg from their various club sides.
Training is set to commence later today as the Super Eagles begin fine-tuning their plans for the encounter against the Crocodiles at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Assistant coach Daniel Ogunmodede is expected to join the camp later in the day after guiding Remo Stars to a 2-0 home win over Wikki Tourists in the Nigeria Premier Football League on Monday.
Lesotho will play their “home” match in South Africa due to the absence of a FIFA or CAF-approved stadium in their country.
Their main arenas have repeatedly been rejected because of poor playing surfaces and substandard facilities, forcing the team to use South African venues for international fixtures.
Friday’s clash carries extra weight for the Super Eagles, who sit fourth in their qualification group with 11 points from eight matches.
Naija News reports that the table was recently shaken up after FIFA awarded a 3-0 win to Lesotho following a successful protest that South Africa had fielded an ineligible player in their March fixture. That ruling cut South Africa’s points and left them tied with Benin on 14, while Nigeria and Rwanda follow closely behind on 11, and Lesotho now have nine.
A win on Friday would move Nigeria closer to the top of the group and put them in a strong position to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The match against Lesotho kicks off at 4 p.m. Nigerian time at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.