National Teams
Terem Moffi warns Super Eagles: No room for error in high-stakes World Cup playoffs
By Dayo Awoniyi
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoffs fast approaching, Nigerian forward Terem Moffi has issued a stern warning: the Super Eagles must be fully prepared for a no-margin-for-error campaign in Morocco next month.
Speaking ahead of the do-or-die qualifiers, Moffi emphasized the pressure and intensity of the “winner-takes-all” format, which will determine Africa’s final representatives at the expanded 48-team World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
“The playoffs will be tough because every team wants to be at the World Cup,” said the OGC Nice striker, who came off the bench in Nigeria’s recent 4–0 win over Benin Republic in Uyo.
“Gabon won’t be easy—they have top players, especially Aubameyang, and they’ve been in great form throughout the qualifiers.”
Nigeria will face Gabon in the first semi-final on Thursday, November 13, while Cameroon and DR Congo meet in the second semi-final on Friday, November 14. Both matches will be played on neutral ground in Morocco.
The winners will clash in a one-off final on November 16 for a spot in the inter-confederation playoffs—Africa’s final pathway to the 2026 World Cup.
Moffi stressed that the challenge from within Africa may prove even more demanding than the intercontinental route.
“The African playoffs will demand more from us than even the intercontinental ones,” he added. “We must give everything we’ve got—there’s no second chance.”
Nigeria are aiming to return to the global stage after missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar. With only one slot available from the African playoff route, the Super Eagles will need back-to-back wins to stay on course for a World Cup return.
