By Dayo Awoniyi
Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has issued a strong warning to the Super Eagles of Nigeria ahead of their highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff clash, declaring his nation’s intent to make history by qualifying for their first-ever World Cup.
Speaking to The Standard, the former Arsenal and Barcelona striker emphasized the high stakes surrounding the upcoming CAF playoff showdown, which will see Gabon face Nigeria in the first leg in Morocco.
“We want to go to the World Cup, and to get there, we have to win games,” said Aubameyang.
“I’m very motivated, and when you have the chance to go to the World Cup, you have to be even more motivated.”
Now 36, Aubameyang remains Gabon’s all-time leading goal scorer and will once again lead the Panthers in their quest for a historic breakthrough on the global stage.
Gabon secured a dramatic playoff berth after an impressive qualifying campaign, with the veteran forward playing a key role.
However, standing between Gabon and their World Cup dream is a resurgent Nigerian side led by head coach Eric Chelle.
The Super Eagles are unbeaten under Chelle and have reignited national belief after a dominant 4–0 victory over Benin Republic secured their spot in the playoff round.
The clash promises to be one of the most compelling matchups in the final phase of African qualifiers, with both nations not only chasing qualification but also fighting for pride and a place in football history.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
