Tag: 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

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Nigeria vs Gabon: Mikel Obi Lists Three Things Super Eagles Must Do

Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has outlined three key things Eric Chelle’s team must do when they face Gabon in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff on Thursday in Morocco.

Obi Mikel urged the Super Eagles to approach their match against Gabon with confidence, bravery, and passion, adding that they should be proud to wear the green and white colors of Nigeria.

The winner of the encounter between Nigeria and Gabon will face the winner between Cameroon and DR Congo in the playoff final on Sunday.

“Go in the game, play as we should, with full confidence, bravery, and passion, knowing you’re wearing the green white green, the badge of that green white green is huge,” Obi Mikel, a former Chelsea midfielder, said on the Obi One Podcast Channel.

“300 million people, that is a lot of pressure, but you have to deal with it. I know they can do it, and I believe in them.”

Nigeria heads to the game after defeating the Benin Republic in their last game, while Gabon won against Burundi.

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CAF Releases 5 Key Rules for Super Eagles’ Crucial World Cup Playoff Against Gabon

Five key match regulations have been released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ahead of Nigeria’s high-stakes 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff clash against Gabon.
The procedural guidelines confirm how the crucial encounter will be decided.
The regulations confirm that if the match ends in a draw after 90 minutes, it will proceed to extra time, and if extra time fails to produce a winner, the tie will be determined via a penalty shootout. Regarding player substitutions, teams will be allowed to make up to five substitutions during regular time, with an additional sixth substitution permitted if the match is extended into extra time, offering coaches strategic flexibility to manage fatigue.
Finally, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will be in operation for the playoff, assisting match officials in major decision-making involving goals, penalties, red cards, and cases of mistaken identity, ensuring fairness and accuracy for this decisive fixture.
The Nigeria vs. Gabon clash is a single-match semi-final within a centralized mini-tournament being held in Morocco.
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time: 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT)
Venue: Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco
The winner of this match will proceed to the African play-off final on Sunday, November 16, to face either Cameroon or DR Congo, with the ultimate tournament champion advancing to the FIFA Inter-Continental Play-Off for a chance at a 2026 World Cup berth
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Super Eagles Announce 24-Man Squad For 2026 FIFA World Cup African Play-Offs In Morocco

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have announced their 24-man squad for next week’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff tournament in Rabat, Morocco.

The Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has called on a mix of seasoned stars and exciting young talents as the team gears up to face Gabon in the semi-finals.

Captain William Ekong leads the group, which includes Galatasaray talismanic striker, Victor Osimhen, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, and defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey.

Midfielders Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Frank Onyeka join emerging defender Benjamin Fredericks, while forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman complete the list of players expected to make an immediate impact.

Nigeria will take on Gabon on Thursday at the Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat, which holds 22,000 fans. The other semi-final will see Cameroon face the Democratic Republic of Congo at the 18,000-capacity El-Barid Stadium, also in Rabat.

Chelle has recalled goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Spain-based forward Chidera Ejuke, while Raphael Onyedika, Tolu Arokodare, Jerome Akor Adams, and Olusegun Olakunle have also been included in the squad. Defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi will miss the Gabon match after receiving a one-game suspension for accumulating two yellow cards in the qualifying campaign.

Players are scheduled to fly into Morocco from their various clubs across Europe and beyond, joining the rest of the squad in Rabat on Monday, 10th November.

Full 24-Man Super Eagles Squad For The World Cup African Play-offs:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia), Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey), Simon Moses (Paris FC, France), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain), Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia).

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A Tough Journey — Troost-Ekong Speaks On Super Eagles’ World Cup Qualification Struggles

William Troost-Ekong has shared his thoughts on the Super Eagles’ ongoing struggles in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Nigeria secured a place in the playoffs after a comfortable 4-0 victory over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Tuesday night.

After a slow start, the Super Eagles recorded three wins and one draw from their last four games to make the playoffs.

Troost-Ekong said it has been a tough campaign for the team.

“I think it’s time that we continue to support this team. It’s easy to celebrate good moments, but it’s been a really tough ride these last months. That’s down to us, but we’ve come out now and achieved something that many said was impossible,” the captain told reporters in Uyo.

Gabon, Cameroon, and Democratic Republic of Congo are the other countries that will feature in the playoffs.

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Osimhen fires hat-trick as Nigeria crush Benin 4-0 to reach World Cup Playoffs

Nigeria cruised to a dominant 4–0 victory over Benin Republic on Tuesday night at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, wrapping up their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in emphatic fashion.

Despite the one-sided win, the Super Eagles narrowly missed out on automatic qualification but secured a playoff berth, keeping their World Cup dream alive regardless of results elsewhere in Group C.

 

Osimhen steals the show with clinical hat-trick

 

Victor Osimhen was at his ruthless best, opening the scoring in the 3rd minute after connecting with Samuel Chukwueze’s cross.

The Napoli forward doubled the lead in the 37th minute with a towering header, again assisted by Chukwueze, before completing his hat-trick six minutes into the second half from a precise Moses Simon delivery.

Frank Onyeka capped off the dominant display in stoppage time, firing into the top corner from another Simon assist to seal the 4–0 rout.

Super Eagles dominate in style

Nigeria controlled the contest from start to finish, combining sharp attacking play with disciplined defending.

Benin struggled to cope with the Super Eagles’ high press and tempo, resorting to a series of fouls that earned them multiple yellow cards.

Coach Eric Chelle’s well-timed substitutions, introducing Tolu Arokodare and Onyeka helped maintain intensity and focus until the final whistle.

Focus shifts to playoffs

The result saw Nigeria finish second in Group C with 17 points, just one behind South Africa, who topped the table on 18.

While they fell short of direct qualification, the Super Eagles’ convincing win ensures momentum heading into the CAF playoff round, where they will fight for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

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2026 WCQ: Super Eagles Fly Out Of Polokwane For Benin Clash

The Super Eagles are scheduled to depart Polokwane for Uyo on a chartered flight this Saturday morning, following their match against Lesotho.

The flight will is scheduled to leave South Africa 8 am Nigerian time.

Eric Chelle’s side defeated Lesotho 2-1 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matchday nine encounter at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane on Friday night.

Nigeria will face neighbours Benin Republic in their final qualifying game.

Tuesday’s encounter will hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

The Super Eagles need a big win to stand any chance of qualifying for the World Cup.

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Nigeria vs Benin: ‘We Have opportunity’ – Troost-Ekong On How Super Eagles Will Secure World Cup Ticket

Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has expressed confidence ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, saying Eric Chelle’s Benin Republic side presents an “opportunity” for Nigeria to capitalize on.

According to Troost-Ekong, Nigeria needs to beat Benin in Uyo and do that convincingly with more than one goal.

The former Watford defender spoke at his post-match interview after leading the Super Eagles to beat Lesotho 2-1 in their World Cup qualifier on Friday.

“We want to be at the World Cup, we have said that now for the last nine months,”Troost-Ekong said.

“We have the opportunity now with the game in Uyo against Benin [Republic], who we know we have to score a certain number of goals.

“It was always the case that we needed to win the game and we had to win it convincingly.”

Benin Republic is three points ahead of Nigeria and two points ahead of South Africa in Group C standings.

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Super Eagles revive world cup hopes with crucial win over Lesotho

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have reignited their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes after a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Lesotho on Friday.

Captain William Troost-Ekong opened the scoring from the penalty spot, giving Nigeria the lead in the first half.

 

Newcomer Akor Adams made an instant impact, netting his debut goal to double the advantage and delight fans at the packed stadium.

 

Despite Nigeria’s dominance, Lesotho refused to go down without a fight. Kalake’s 83rd-minute strike reduced the deficit, putting pressure on the Eagles in the closing moments.

However, the team held on firmly to secure a vital three points, keeping their World Cup dream alive.

 

The victory temporarily lifts Nigeria into a better position on the Group C table, restoring confidence after previous disappointing draws.

 

Group C drama intensifies after South Africa and Zimbabwe draw

The race for qualification remains tight as South Africa and Zimbabwe played out a draw in their own clash.

This outcome worked in Nigeria’s favour, ensuring that the Super Eagles can still finish first or second in the group if they maintain momentum.

Football analysts have described the result as a “lifeline” for the Nigerian side, who had earlier been criticised for inconsistent performances.

Nigeria’s next challenge will be against Benin Republic in what promises to be a make-or-break fixture. Meanwhile, Head Coach Finidi George is expected to make key tactical changes, having faced scrutiny over the team’s defensive lapses.

Pressure mounts ahead of final group clash with Benin

Benin Republic’s surprise victory over Rwanda has added more tension to the group standings.

The result means that the Super Eagles must secure a win in their final group game to guarantee a qualifying spot.

Failure to do so could see Nigeria miss out on the World Cup, a nightmare scenario that fans and stakeholders are desperate to avoid.

Players are reportedly in high spirits after the Lesotho win, with Troost-Ekong and Adams urging the team to stay focused.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has also expressed optimism, promising full support and motivation ahead of the next match. As anticipation builds, the spotlight now turns to Finidi George and his men to deliver the victory that will seal Nigeria’s place on football’s biggest stage.

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