The Matchday 9 encounter is set for Friday, October 10, 2025, at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time.

Mahamat, who also handled Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda on September 6 in Uyo, will be supported by fellow Chadians: Bogola Issa, first assistant, Moussa Hafiz, second assistant, and Abdelkerim Ousmane, fourth official. Kenyan official Alice Kimani will serve as referee assessor, while William Shongwe of eSwatini has been appointed match commissioner.

Nigeria, currently third in Group C with 11 points, trails both South Africa and Benin Republic, who are tied at the top with 14 points each. With just two games remaining, the Super Eagles must secure maximum points to boost their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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Following the Lesotho clash, Nigeria will host Benin Republic in a potentially decisive showdown at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on October 14. FIFA has appointed Egyptian referee Omar Amin Mohamed to take charge of that fixture, with Mahmoud Aboulergal and Ali Teleb as assistant referees.

Nigeria’s qualification hopes were recently given a lifeline after FIFA awarded Lesotho a 3-0 win over South Africa, who had fielded ineligible player Teboho Mokoena in their March fixture. The ruling altered the group standings, leaving the race for the top spot wide open.

If Nigeria wins both remaining matches, they could finish with 17 points potentially enough to clinch qualification, depending on results elsewhere.

Source: Punch