In a high-stakes development for Nigerian football, the Super Eagles have officially been paired with Gabon in the semi-final stage of the CAF playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Under the new CAF qualification format, nine African teams qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup and a tenth spot is allocated via an inter-confederation playoff.
The path to that intercontinental playoff goes through a mini-tournament: the four best group runners-up compete in knockout matches (semi-finals, then final) for the one CAF team that earns the extra berth.
Nigeria secured one of those four playoff spots after an emphatic 4–0 victory over Benin in Uyo. Meanwhile, Gabon sealed their spot by finishing second in Group F behind Ivory Coast.
The semi-final clash is scheduled to take place on 13 November 2025. All playoff matches are slated to be held in Morocco. These are single-leg knockout matches. If tied after regulation time, they will go to extra time and, if still level, penalties to decide the winner.
The winner between Nigeria and Gabon will face either Cameroon or DR Congo in the final (on 16 November) for the chance to proceed to the inter-confederation playoff in March 2026.
Nigeria enters as the highest-ranked team among the four playoff sides and thus draws the lowest-ranked opponent—Gabon.
Their dominant form in recent qualifiers (notably the 4–0 win over Benin) has boosted confidence.
Legends and pundits in Nigeria are optimistic. For example, former national team star Segun Odegbami recently voiced confidence in the Eagles’ ability to navigate the playoffs successfully.
Despite being the lower-ranked side, Gabon proved resilient in finishing second in a competitive Group F.
In a knockout scenario, a well-organised defense and opportunism on the counter could make them dangerous.
If Nigeria can overcome Gabon and then the winner of the other semi, they still won’t be at the World Cup yet—but they’ll have earned the right to contest an intercontinental playoff (March 2026) against a team from elsewhere, for a final chance to reach the 2026 finals in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
