Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has come under fire for a costly mistake in Nigeria’s 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over Lesotho. Despite goals from William Troost-Ekong and Akor Adams securing victory, Nwabali’s late blunder from a corner allowed Lesotho’s Hlompho Kalake to score.

FOOTBALLNwabali is NOT a goalkeeper!! Super Eagles shot-stopper slammed for costly error against Lesotho

Nwabali is NOT a goalkeeper!! Super Eagles shot-stopper slammed for costly error against Lesotho

Ifeanyi Ufomadu • 19:07 – 10.10.2025

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has been slammed for his crucial error in the 2-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Lesotho.

Nigeria needed to beat Lesotho to keep their World Cup hopes alive and did so thanks to goals from William Troost-Ekong and Akor Adams before letting in a late, needless goal towards the end.



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Lesotho 1-2 Nigeria: Heartbreak for Super Eagles as Benin beats Rwanda to top Group C

The win was essential for Nigeria, but the nature of the goal conceded by Nwabali has drawn sharp criticism across social media, as every goal conceded could prove devastating in the fiercely competitive Group C.

The incident saw Nwabali spill a seemingly routine catch from a corner, allowing Lesotho’s Hlompho Kalake a simple finish.

This lapse is magnified by the tight nature of the qualifying group, which is now a tense three-way tussle for the sole ticket to the World Cup.

Nigeria’s World Cup hopes: Goal Difference Nightmare Looms

Nwabali | Credit: X/ACL Sports

The Super Eagles currently sit on 14 points, breathing down the necks of leaders Benin (17 points) and South Africa (15 points).

With the final and decisive match, a home clash against Benin in Uyo next week, the margin for error is nonexistent.

Crucially, goal difference could be the deciding factor. Nigeria’s current goal difference stands at +3, trailing Benin, who are on +5.

Nwabali’s mistake has, quite literally, reduced Nigeria’s goal difference by one, potentially gifting a vital advantage to a rival nation ahead of next week’s showdown.

Here are some tweets from angry Nigerians



FOOTBALLLesotho 1-2 Nigeria: Heartbreak for Super Eagles as Benin beats Rwanda to top Group C

Lesotho 1-2 Nigeria: Heartbreak for Super Eagles as Benin beats Rwanda to top Group C

Hassan Abdulsalam • 19:06 – 10.10.2025

Benin beats Rwanda to top Group C

The race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification from CAF Group C took a dramatic and agonising turn for Nigeria’s Super Eagles. Despite a late 2-1 victory over Lesotho, the Super Eagles’ qualification fate slipped out of their hands as Benin secured a vital win against Rwanda to seize the top spot.