Nigeria Draws Gabon As Cameroon Faces DR Congo In World Cup Play-Offs

‎Nigeria will meet Gabon in the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

‎The Super Eagles advanced to this stage after a 4-0 victory over Benin in their final Group C match in Uyo, highlighted by Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick.

‎Eric Chelle’s side earned one of the four best runners-up, with results against Zimbabwe excluded due to differing group sizes following Eritrea’s withdrawal.

‎According to the pairings, Nigeria must beat the Panthers, inspired by former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, on November 13th in Morocco.

‎Victory in that game would see them progress to the final, where DR Congo or former African champions Cameroon awaits, with the winner advancing to the inter-confederation play-offs in March 2026.

‎A mini-tournament is scheduled to take place in the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey in March 2026.

‎The competition will feature Bolivia, New Caledonia, two teams from Central America, and one from Asia. Two nations from this group will ultimately qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

‎If matches end in a draw after regulation time, 30 minutes of extra time will be played, with each team allowed a sixth substitution, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary.

‎Nigeria’s international friendly against Venezuela, initially billed for the United States in November, will no longer hold due to this important assignment.

‎The Super Eagles last played at the World Cup in 2018 under coach Gernot Rohr.

‎They failed to advance from a group that included Croatia, Iceland, and defending champions Argentina.

‎Their hopes of qualifying for the 2022 edition in Qatar were dashed by Ghana’s Black Stars in a fierce two-legged playoff.