The Panthers of Gabon’s 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff campaign came to an end on Thursday night after a 4-1 semi-final defeat to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Rabat. Gabon’s head coach, Thierry Mouyouma, acknowledged that his team did not compete effectively against their opponents.

The Super Eagles dominated the first half, creating scoring opportunities through Victor Osimhen and Jerome Adams Akor. Although Gabon improved their performance after the break, they were unable to prevent Nigeria from securing a place in the final. Mouyouma accepted that the Super Eagles were the superior team, but noted that the scoreline did not accurately reflect his team’s performance.

According to Mouyouma, the key factors in the game were the team’s inability to capitalize on scoring chances and their defensive vulnerabilities. “We were not good enough. We were not sharp enough in the offensive box, and we didn’t defend well in our defensive box. Nigeria did both and scored,” he said after the game. Mouyouma also emphasized that the outcome was decided by fine margins, stating that “the scoreline doesn’t show how well we competed against one of the most dangerous attacking sides in Africa.”

The loss marks the end of Gabon’s 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff journey, while Nigeria will proceed to the final. The Super Eagles’ victory demonstrates their strength as a team and sets them up for a competitive matchup in the next stage of the tournament. With the playoffs ongoing, football fans can expect intense competition among the remaining teams as they vie for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.