Polokwane, South Africa—October 10, 2025 — Following Nigeria’s narrow 2-1 victory over Lesotho in their FIFA World Cup 2026 African Qualifiers match, Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, admitted that his team has been under intense pressure—pressure that, according to him, has weighed on the squad since the early stages of the qualifiers.
Speaking during a post-match press conference, Chelle expressed satisfaction with the result while acknowledging the psychological strain his players have been under.
“Today we are happy because we won. We are still alive. I am happy for my players, and I want to congratulate them,” Chelle said. “Perhaps we have felt the pressure since March. Every time we meet, they tell me they feel it—because for Nigeria, we have to qualify. We need to travel, and we need to go to the World Cup.”
The Super Eagles, backed by the return of Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) and William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia), fielded a formidable side against Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa. Despite dominating large parts of the game, Nigeria was only able to edge past the hosts by a slim margin.
Chelle noted that the pressure affected the players’ technical execution, particularly in the first half.
“Playing in this game is not the same as regular football. In the first half, because of the pressure, we missed some things technically. It’s difficult to come on the pitch with that level of tension. But I’m so proud of my guys—and I told them that,” he added.
Troost-Ekong Echoes Coach’s Sentiments
Team vice-captain and seasoned defender William Troost-Ekong also weighed in, echoing Chelle’s remarks on the difficulty of the game and the weight of expectations.
“Lesotho played a great game, and we knew it would be tough from the start. These kinds of matches are never easy,” said Troost-Ekong. “The pressure has been on us since March when the qualifiers began. I understand the frustration, but credit must go to Lesotho for the fight they put up.”
Looking ahead, the defender reaffirmed the squad’s commitment to securing a place at the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“Now, we just want to focus on ourselves. We want to improve, because we have a team of winners—players who are hungry to be at the World Cup.”
Road to 2026
Nigeria, a perennial African football powerhouse, has appeared at six FIFA World Cups since making its debut in 1994. After missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar, the Super Eagles are under pressure—from fans, stakeholders, and themselves—to return to the world stage in 2026.
With crucial qualifiers still ahead, Coach Chelle and his players know that every point matters, and every game is a test of both skill and mental fortitude.
