Rabat – Nigeria and Gabon meet Today at the new Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat. Both teams are just two wins away from keeping their hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.
This CAF playoff semi-final will determine who will advance to Sunday’s final and remain in contention for a World Cup spot.
Nigeria, who have played in the last six World Cups, missed out on qualifying for the 2022 edition in Qatar and must avoid missing consecutive tournaments.
Gabon are chasing history as they aim to qualify for the World Cup for the first time.
Match details
jig: Nigeria vs Gabon
competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (CAF Playoffs Semi-Finals)
venue: Stade Prince Heritié Moulay El Hassan (Rabat, Morocco)
date: Thursday, November 13th
kick off: 5pm local time (GMT+1)
How to watch: MBC action, FIFA+ (streaming worldwide); ESPN, Fubo TV (united states of america)
Match day in Rabat!
🆚 Gabon 🇬🇦
🕔 5pm (NGA)
🏟️ Moulay Hassan Stadium #fifaworldcup2026qualifiers #Naija4TheWin #NGAGAB pic.twitter.com/48ocYr56eX— 🇳🇬Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 13, 2025
Nigeria team news
Nigeria coach Eric Schell has the majority of his squad available, but three players are absent.
Ola Aina – He has been out since September due to a hamstring injury.
Kelechi Iheanacho – removed from the team due to injury
Semi Ajayi – Suspension due to accumulated yellow cards
On the positive side, Ademola Lookman is back from suspension. Star striker Victor Osimhen scored He scored six goals in qualifying (including a hat-trick against Benin) and will lead the Super Eagles attack.
He will be supported by Samuel Chukwueze and either winger Moses Simon or Lookman.
Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi provide stability in midfield. In the final half, captain William Troost-Ekong will partner Calvin Bassey, with Bright Ossai-Samuel and Zaidu Sanusi competing for the full-back spot. Stanley Nwabali is expected to remain in goal.
Nigeria’s predicted lineup: Nwabari; Osai Samuel, Troost Ekong, Bassey, Sanusi. Ndidi, Iwobi. Chukwueze, Lookman, Simon. Osimhen
Gabon team news
Gabon coach Thierry Muyuma has a strong squad, but there are some key players missing.
Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returns from suspension and will lead the attack. The 36-year-old striker is Gabon’s all-time top scorer with 39 goals, most recently scoring all four goals in the 4-3 win over Gambia.
Jim Alevina, Shaby Babicca, Medwin Bitege, Michel Mboula and Junior Nbi Fotso are all absent due to injury. Defender Mike Onphia will also be suspended.
Gabon anyway remains Competitiveness. Dennis Bouanga, fresh off a stellar season in MLS, will partner Aubameyang up front.
Mario Lemina and Didier Ndon add experience in midfield.
At the back of the field, veteran Bruno Ekuele Manga will be paired with Giannis Mbemba. If Mouyouma needs more pace, young striker Alain de Marcolino could feature.
Gabon predicted lineup: Mbaba. A. Oyono, Ekuele Manga, Mbemba, and J. Ecomy. Ndon, Remina, Kanga. Marcolino, Bouanga, Aubameyang.
What to expect
Nigeria Under coach Eric Schell, they will use their aggressive style to take the initiative in the early stages. Wingers like Chukwueze and Simon/Lookman will be looking to pass to Osimhen to get behind the defense.
The Super Eagles struggled in the qualifying round with 5 draws out of 10 matches, but achieved good results with consecutive wins including a 4-0 win in the final group match. They are unbeaten in six games and will be looking for an early goal to upset Gabon.
Gabon Likely to play more cautiously. Coach Thierry Moyuma wants his team to keep possession and limit Nigeria’s space.
They won eight of their 10 qualifying matches, scored 22 goals, and remain unbeaten in seven matches since losing 5-1 to Morocco in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers in November 2024.
Aubameyang will be key to the counterattack, supported by the midfield trio of Lemina, Dondon and Kanga, who will aim to disrupt Ndidi and Iwobi.
Historically, Nigeria has had the advantage, winning five of the past nine meetings. Gabon’s only win against the Super Eagles was in 1989, and the two teams have not faced each other officially for 20 years. Still, Gabon are in a precarious situation as they aim to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in their history.
safe bet
Both teams scored: Yes – Both Nigeria and Gabon have strong attacking power. Nigeria have scored 13 goals in their last five matches, while Gabon have scored 22 goals in their 10 qualifying matches.
Less than 2.5 goals: Likely – Goals are expected from Osimhen and Aubameyang.
Osimhen scores or assists: Yes – The African Player of the Year scored six goals for Nigeria in qualifying and 29 goals overall.
Aubameyang score or assist: Yes – The Gabon captain has scored 39 goals for his country and is also in charge of penalty shootouts.
Match result – Nigeria win (draw no bet): Nigeria has more depth and experience. Gabon are dangerous, but the Super Eagles are a slight favorite to advance.
Final score prediction: Nigeria 2-1 Gabon.
