Head Coach of Lesotho senior national team, Leslie Notsi is confident that his boys performance at the 2023 COSAFA Cup where they lost 0-1 in the final will help build their confidence when they file out against Super Eagles of Nigeria on the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The three-time African champions will trade tackles with Lesotho on Thursday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo in the first match of the qualifier before taking on Zimbabwe in Rwanda next Sunday.
Speaking ahead of the match, Leslie said, “This is an opportunity for our boys to come down here and get exposure
“We are expecting a very tight encounter and having played up to the final in the COSAFA Cup in South Africa, where we lost 0-1.
“I think this match come at the right time. Let’s see how we are to go play against the best team in Africa.” He concluded.
Lesotho arrived in Uyo on Tuesday ahead of the game and had a training session on Wednesday at the training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
The Crocodiles have neither qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations nor the FIFA World Cup in their history.
Other teams in Group C for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in USA/Canada/Mexico are South Africa, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Benin Republic.
