National Teams
PREVIEW: Super Eagles chase redemption as 2026 World Cup playoffs kick off in Rabat
By Dayo Awoniyi
The race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies this week as Nigeria’s Super Eagles prepare for a critical playoff showdown in Morocco.
The four-team mini-tournament, which also features Gabon, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), will determine which African nation secures a coveted spot in the inter-confederation playoffs for next year’s World Cup.
For Nigeria, it is a chance to redeem themselves after a turbulent qualifying campaign that saw them trailing South Africa in Group C.
With the Confederation of African Football (CAF) already confirming nine African teams for the expanded 48-team World Cup, this playoff offers one final route for qualification via the intercontinental playoff.
The Super Eagles will face Gabon in Rabat on Thursday, while Cameroon meets the DRC in a parallel semifinal. The winners of both matches will then square off on Sunday for the ultimate prize: a spot in the global playoffs next March.
With no home advantage, no second-leg advantage, and little rest between games, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Nigeria. They will have to dig deep, with everything on the line and little room for error.
Off-Field Turmoil Threatens Super Eagles’ Focus
The buildup to the playoffs has been anything but smooth for Nigeria. Reports of a player boycott over unpaid bonuses earlier this week cast a shadow over the team’s preparations.
The protest and the subsequent disarray in camp have led to public frustration, with critics accusing the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of mismanagement at a critical time when all focus should be on performance.
Despite the off-field drama, the Super Eagles remain determined to prove that their pedigree still matters on the continental stage. Captain William Troost-Ekong and striker Victor Osimhen are expected to lead the charge for Nigeria, which now faces mounting pressure to deliver.
Gabon’s Quiet Confidence
Nigeria’s opponents, Gabon, approach the clash with quiet confidence. Though they have never qualified for a World Cup, the Panthers have shown strong form in the qualifiers, making them a formidable opponent. Led by experienced players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Bouanga, Gabon’s attack poses a real threat to Nigeria’s occasionally shaky defense.
The Gabonese have little to lose and everything to gain, making them a dangerous underdog. If Nigeria doesn’t assert control early in Rabat, the Panthers could spring a surprise and derail the Super Eagles’ World Cup hopes.
Cameroon vs DRC: Another Unpredictable Battle
In the other semifinal, Cameroon faces the DRC in what promises to be an equally thrilling encounter. The Indomitable Lions, with a proud World Cup record of eight appearances, are battling internal turmoil, with public spats between the country’s FA president and coach Marc Brys. Meanwhile, the DRC, rejuvenated under coach Sébastien Desabre, come into the match with newfound momentum and belief.
The disciplined, attacking approach of the DRC could unsettle Cameroon, a team that has seen its fan confidence wane in recent months.
For Nigeria, Failure Is Not an Option
For Nigeria, the narrative is clear: failure is not an option. The playoffs offer a second chance to reaffirm their place among Africa’s elite and to reignite belief in the Super Eagles project. A victory over Gabon would not only silence critics but also restore national pride in a team that once symbolized continental dominance.
With the eyes of the world upon them, the next 180 minutes in Morocco could define Nigeria’s football future—either as a stirring comeback story or another chapter in a saga of unfulfilled potential.
