Four African hopefuls, Nigeria, Gabon, DR Congo, and Cameroon, are set to battle for survival in the CAF World Cup play-offs, a high-stakes mini-tournament in Rabat, Morocco, that will determine who keeps their 2026 World Cup dream alive.
Four Nations, One Last Ticket
After missing out on the continent’s nine automatic qualification spots, the four best second-placed teams from the group stage - Nigeria, Gabon, DR Congo, and Cameroon- will compete in the semi-final matches on Thursday, with the winners advancing to Sunday’s final. The champion will then progress to an intercontinental play-off against a team from another confederation for a ticket to next year’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
All the semi-final matches will take place in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, with Thursday’s semi-finals, Nigeria vs Gabon (5:00 pm) and DR Congo vs Cameroon (8:00 pm), both live on SuperSport Africa 1 (GOtv Ch. 63, DStv Ch. 207).
Nigeria vs Gabon: Powerhouse Meets Underdog
For the Super Eagles, the stakes could not be higher. Nigeria’s campaign began poorly, but a strong finish saw them edge Burkina Faso to qualify as one of the four best runners-up. Their decisive 4-0 win over Benin, featuring a Victor Osimhen hat-trick and Frank Onyeka’s late volley, secured progress on goal difference.
Nigeria, six-time World Cup participants, are the highest-ranked team in this play-off series and enter Rabat determined to reclaim their place among the world’s elite after missing Qatar 2022. Coach Eric Chelle’s side will look to capitalise on Osimhen’s form and firepower, while Gabon’s resilience cannot be underestimated.
The Panthers, led by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, were among the most consistent teams in the qualifiers, finishing just one point behind Côte d’Ivoire. They remain outsiders but capable of springing a surprise if Nigeria are not clinical.
DR Congo vs Cameroon: Order Against Chaos
The second semi-final pits two African heavyweights with contrasting histories. DR Congo, whose only World Cup appearance came in 1974, have impressed under Sébastien Desabre with disciplined, pragmatic football. They finished behind Senegal in their group and are viewed as the tournament’s dark horses.
Cameroon, meanwhile, arrive amid internal turbulence. Coach Marc Brys faces mounting scrutiny following tensions with Cameroon’s football federation. Yet the Indomitable Lions, Africa’s most decorated World Cup participants with eight appearances, possess the pedigree and experience to navigate the pressure. The encounter is widely regarded as a 50-50 contest.
One Chance to Keep the Dream Alive
The winners of Thursday’s semi-finals will meet in Sunday’s final, also in Rabat, for the right to represent Africa in the intercontinental playoff later this year. For Nigeria, it is a defining week, one that will determine whether their journey ends in redemption or disappointment.
Both semi-finals will be broadcast live on SuperSport A
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