The Mena produced a solid performance to claim all three points in their Group A opener, overcoming late pressure from the visitors.
Niger took control of the contest in the first half and deservedly led at the interval. Daniel Sosah broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, finishing clinically to give the hosts the lead. Just before half-time, Oumar Sako doubled the advantage in the 45th minute, putting Niger in a strong position heading into the break.
Lesotho refused to surrender and continued to push forward after the restart. Their persistence was rewarded in the 85th minute when Sera Motebang converted a penalty to reduce the deficit and set up a tense finale.
Despite the late scare, Niger held firm in the closing stages to protect their lead and secure a valuable opening win. The result gives the Mena maximum points from their first match and an early boost in the qualifying race.
Lesotho will look to bounce back in their next fixture, while Niger will aim to build on this result as they continue their bid to reach the 2027 finals.
The Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to take place in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from June to July 2027. With the qualifying process only just beginning, every point will prove crucial as teams fight for the limited places on offer.
Niger’s victory provides an encouraging foundation for their campaign, while also highlighting the competitive nature of the group stages across the continent.