The stage is set for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final knock-out playoff with Gabon on Thursday evening.
The playoff will take place at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex in Rabat, Morocco.
The Super Eagles head to the game after beating Benin Republic 4-0 in the World Cup qualifier in their last game in October, while the Panthers won 2-0 against Burundi.
Nigeria had a disappointing World Cup qualification campaign, but they only lost one out of their 10 matches in Group C.
Gabon also suffered just one defeat across their qualifying matches.
Nigeria has never lost to Gabon in their past two meetings.
Gabon head coach, Thierry Mouyouma, has already revealed how his team will approach the Super Eagles on Thursday.
The winner will take on the winner between Cameroon and DR Congo in the final playoff on Sunday.
NEWSUNPLUG reports that the ultimate winner in the final playoff will take part in the FIFA playoff tournament in March 2026 to secure a ticket for the World Cup.
Afolabi also singled out two players each from Nigeria (Victor Osimhen and Alex Iwobi) and Gabon (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Lemina) to play key roles for their respective teams.
“It’s going to be a tough encounter. Gabon has relatively good players who are presently in form, like their skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scored in his last game for Marseille against Brest, and also Mario Lemina, who plys his trade for Galatasaray in the Turkish League,” Afolabi said,
“It won’t be a ride in the pack for the Super Eagles, but I expect them to win the game, considering the monstrous form of goal poacher Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi. If the Eagles are on top of their game, I expect them to win the game,” he added.
Afolabi, however, warned Eric Chelle’s men against complacency when they tackle the Panthers.
“This is no time for complacency; rather, come up with a spirited performance and pull a great encounter and win the solitary playoffs slot from Africa,” he added.
The kick-off time for the Nigeria vs Gabon game is 5 pm.
