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Hours after raising the hope of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup to be held in North America, the Nigeria Super Eagles’ Coach, Eric Chelle, has come out to say the team had been under “a lot of pressure” even before the Friday game.

The players had defeated Lesotho 2-1, having fielded a strong side with the return of the Galatasaray forward, Victor Osimhen, and Saudi Pro League, Al-Kholood defender, William Troost-Ekong.

In a post-match conference, Chelle expressed excitement that the team had won the game against Lesotho.

He, however, said that the pressure to put up the best performances had been on the team since March.

“Today we are happy because we won. We are still alive. I am happy for my players and I want to congratulate them. Perhaps we have felt the pressure since March. Every time my players, whenever we meet, they tell me they feel the pressure, because for Nigeria, we need to travel and we need to go to the World Cup.

“There is a lot of pressure, and this is the reality.

“So now, maybe they will take some hours of cool after this win, and I’m happy for that. Playing in this game is not the same as regular football.

“In the first half, because we were under pressure, technically, sometimes we miss some things, and it is difficult to come on the pitch, because there is a lot of tension, but I am so proud of my guys, and I told them.”

READ ALSO: Super Eagles Boost World Cup Hopes With Slim Win Over Lesotho

While corroborating Chelle’s stance, William Troost-Ekong said the match against Lesotho was a tough one.

“I also want to start by saying that Lesotho played a great game, and we knew that from the start. I can understand the disappointment and frustration because they put up a very good fight. These kinds of games are never easy, and the Coach said that already. The pressure has been on us since March at the start of the Qualifiers,” he said.

He, however, said the team was looking forward to a great outing come 2026.

Nigeria Super Eagles on Thursday kept its dream of qualification for the 2026 World Cup to be held in the North American continent alive by defeating Lesotho 2-1.

Eric Chelle fielded a strong side with the return of the Galatasaray forward, Victor Osimhen and Saudi Pro League, Al-Kholood defender, William Troost-Ekong.

Moses Simon set the pace for the Eagles in the 6th minute as he tried to weave inside from the right wing, but the Crocodiles were strong in defence.

Despite a dominant ball possession, Nigeria were sloppy in passing the ball as Lesotho’s back five prevented the opposition forwards from accessing enough space to operate in.

READ ALSO: FIFA Sanction South Africa For Fielding Ineligible Player In World Cup Qualifier

Osimhen came close in the 38th minute in putting Nigeria ahead as he beat his marker to get on the end of a cross from the right wing before powering a chance at goal, only for Sekhoane to keep out the effort.

Despite the Super Eagles’ onslaught, the Lesotho defence repelled all attacks to end the first half goalless

The second half resumed with Nigeria dominating possession and were duly rewarded in the 53rd minute when Motlomelo Mkwanazi was adjudged to have handled the ball, after he blocked a shot from Moses Simon.

Ekong stepped up to take the penalty kick, guiding it to the bottom right-hand corner.

Nigeria’s relentless pressure paid off as Osimhen, in the 80th minute, fed the ball to the right side of the penalty area to Akor Adamson, who took a touch and then drilled his effort past Sekhoane to double the lead.