Five likely changes to Super Eagles starting XI for Lesotho match

Nigeria senior national team coach Eric Chelle will make five changes from the Super Eagles team that started the last match against South Africa in the World Cup qualifiers, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Nigeria drew 1-1 against South Africa, further damaging their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Their hope now depends on results elsewhere going well in the final two games of the series.

They also need to win their own matches, starting with tomorrow’s game against Lesotho and Chelle is leaving no stone unturned in the hope of getting the points needed to take advantage of any slip-up in the top two.

Chelle will present the team in the best possible way with five changes compared to the team that drew against South Africa. On top of everything is the team captain, William Troost-Ekong, who drops onto the bench for the return of Semi Ajayi.

In the absence of Ola Aina, Benjamin Fredrick slots in at right back and Zaidu Sanusi is the favorite to start at left back following the deployment of Calvin Bassey in his original starting role at centre-back.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is unavailable through injury and his place will go to fellow striker Tolu Arokodare, while Cyriel Dessers, who is also injured, will be replaced by Victor Osimhen in the starting line-up.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman