Nigeria is set to face Gabon in the first semi-final of the 2026 World Cup playoffs on Thursday evening. The Super Eagles secured their spot in the playoffs by finishing as one of Africa’s best runners-up in the qualifying series. They will now aim to defeat the Panthers in a one-off game in Rabat, Morocco, to advance to the next stage of the competition.

The winner of this match will earn a chance to play either the Democratic Republic of Congo or Cameroon for a spot in the 2026 World Cup. The African play-off winners will then progress to a six-team intercontinental qualifier, scheduled to take place from March 23 to 31, 2026. This tournament will determine the final two teams that will participate in next year’s World Cup.

The Nigerian team, led by their coach, has announced their starting lineup for the match. The Super Eagles will feature a strong squad, including Nwabali, Chiemela, Zaidu, Ndidi, Lookman, Osimhen, Chukwueze, Osayi, Iwobi, Adams, and Bassey. Meanwhile, Gabon’s team, known as the Panthers, will start with Mbaba, Openga Owaga, Oyono, Ecuele Manga, Ondele, Ekomie, Ndong, Biyogo Poko, Lemina, Bouanga, and Aubameyang.

The first half of the match ended 0-0, with Nigeria dominating the game and missing several good chances to take the lead. Despite their efforts, the Super Eagles were unable to capitalize on their scoring opportunities, leaving the score tied at halftime. As the second half gets underway, both teams will look to break the deadlock and secure a spot in the next round of the competition.

The outcome of this match is crucial, as it will determine which team moves closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. With the intercontinental qualifier scheduled to take place in March 2026, the stakes are high for both Nigeria and Gabon. The winner of this match will take a significant step towards realizing their World Cup dreams, while the loser will be eliminated from the competition. The match is expected to be closely contested, with both teams giving their all to emerge victorious.