Victor Osimhen and Chidera Juke were the extra-time heroes for Nigeria as the Super Eagles booked a place in the CAF play-off final with a win over Gabon.
The match began as a cagey affair, with both sides starting slowly in Rabat, though Nigeria soon began to dominate as both sides spurned chances, with Osimhen and Royce Openda both going close in the first half.
Neither side was able to create much in front of goal during the second half either, though the match kicked into life when Akor Adams latched onto a poor back pass from Aaron Appindangoye to round the ‘keeper and open the scoring on 78 minutes. Nigeria had thought they had won it, but Mario Lemina dragged his side back into it in the 89th minute with a deflected effort.
And there was still time for Osimhen to miss a chance to win the tie at the end of 12 additional minutes in normal time, blasting wide when clean through, though he made up for it with the brace in extra-time, with two accomplished finishes either side of Ejuke’s goal booking Nigeria’s place in the final.
Follow along for the latest reaction from the African World Cup qualifying play-offs:
Nigeria vs Gabon live
- Nigeria beat Gabon in the World Cup qualifying play-offs
- 110' GOAL! Osimhen brace secures win [NGA 4-1 GAB]
- 102' GOAL! Osimhen doubles extra-time lead [NGA 3-1 GAB]
- 97' GOAL! Accomplished Ejuke finish gives Nigeria the lead [NGA 2-1 GAB]
- 89' GOAL! Deflected Lemina strike draws Gabon level [NGA 1-1 GAB]
- 78' GOAL! Adams capitalises on mistake from Appindangoye [NGA 1-0 GAB]
FULL-TIME! Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
19:03 , Chris WilsonThat result means Nigeria will face either Cameroon or DR Congo in Sunday’s play-off final. The other match kicks off later this evening.
Sunday’s final will see Nigeria return to Rabat to try and earn a place in the inter-federation play-off finals for a place at the World Cup!
FULL-TIME! Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
18:58 , Chris WilsonThe referee brings the game to an end an Nigeria have booked their place in the play-off final!
It’s not to be for Gabon, who fought well, but they just couldn't deal with the Super Eagles’ firepower in the end.
Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
18:55 , Chris Wilson120 mins
Remarkably, the added time has been changed for some reason. Maybe a mistake from the fourth official. We’re about there...
Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
18:54 , Chris Wilson120 mins
Another four minutes of added time here. That brings us to over 30 minutes of added time in this match!
Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
18:52 , Chris Wilson119 mins
A long-range effort from Ndidi forces yet another save from Mbaba.
Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
18:50 , Chris Wilson117 mins
No hat trick for Osimhen, as he makes way for Arokodare.
Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
18:47 , Chris Wilson115 mins
Nigeria are just knocking it around confidently now, with Gabon looking knackered.
GOAL! Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
18:44 , Chris Wilson111 mins
GOAL! That will indeed be that!
It’s another great effort from Osimhen, who brings the long ball down on the edge of the box before taking it past a couple of challenges and hitting a lovely reverse shot into the far corner.
Nigeria 3-1 Gabon
18:42 , Chris Wilson109 mins
Two subs for Nigeria as Osayi-Samuel and Iwobi come off for Chidozie Awaziem and William Troost-Ekong.
Nigeria 3-1 Gabon
18:41 , Chris Wilson108 mins
Goodness me! Nearly a horror moment for Nwabali as he hesitates on the ball and it almost rolls away from him and into his own net before he clears!
KICK-OFF! Nigeria 3-1 Gabon
18:38 , Chris WilsonBack underway in Rabat! What can Gabon muster here?
HALF-TIME! Nigeria 3-1 Gabon
18:35 , Chris WilsonNothing else of note in that first half and now Gabon have 15 minutes to save their World Cup qualification campaign.
Nigeria 3-1 Gabon
18:31 , Chris Wilson105 mins
Four minutes of added time at the end of this half.
Nigeria 3-1 Gabon
18:30 , Chris Wilson103 mins
Osimhen was given a yellow crd for taking his shirt off in celebration, but he won't care.
Gabon have it all to do here now!
GOAL! Nigeria 3-1 Gabon
18:30 , Chris Wilson101 mins
GOAL! That will surely settle it!
Nigeria have a third and it’s down to great work from Fredrick and Osimhen.
The defender dispossesses Ekomie on halfway and drives forward in possession, getting to the edge of the box before releasing an inch-perfect pass to Osimhen, who needs no invitation to slide a low finish into the far corner!
Nigeria 2-1 Gabon
18:27 , Chris Wilson100 mins
Another sub for Gabon as Bryan Meyo and Noha Lemina – who both only came on late on into normal time – make way for Jeremy Oyono and Moucketou-Moussounda.
GOAL! Nigeria 2-1 Gabon
18:24 , Chris Wilson97 mins
GOAL! Nigeria are back ahead!
It’s well-worked too, with some real quality from Ndidi as he drives towards the box and slips in a lovely through ball for Ejuke to hit first time - he does just that, sliding it low past Mbaba to give the Super Eagles the lead!
Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
18:21 , Chris Wilson95 mins
Almost a chance for Nigeria after some pinball in the Gabon box, but Mbaba is able to collect.
The Super Eagles are once again dominating the ball without finding many gaps in attack.
Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
18:18 , Chris Wilson92 mins
It was a crazy finish to normal time - will either side be able to gather themselves to win it in extra-time?
Nigeria enjoying plenty of possession at the moment.
KICK-OFF! Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
18:15 , Chris WilsonBack underway in Rabat!
FULL-TIME! Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
18:12 , Chris WilsonThat was the last kick of the game! What a golden chance to win it!
We’ll have another 30 minutes to separate these two sides.
Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
18:11 , Chris Wilson90 +11 mins
CLOSE! Oh my word! Nigeria miss a golden chance to win it at the end!
Gabon won a free-kick but the delivery was cleared far too easily and they left Osimhen unmarked and on his own right on halfway!
The through ball is played towards the striker and he latches onto it unchallenged. He races towards the goal and opens up his body to try and slot it past the ‘keeper, but scuffs it and fails to make proper contact, sending it well wide!
Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
18:06 , Chris Wilson90 +9 mins
Nigeria applying all the pressure as we edge towards the end of added time, though Simon sees two corners cleared easily before Gabon win a goal kick.
Extra-time is looming in Rabat!
Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
18:04 , Chris Wilson90 +6 mins
Better from Ejuke and Ndidi to get into the Gabon box before winning a corner.
Lemina is one of a couple of Gabon players receiving treatment before the set-piece can be taken, but both are okay to carry on.
Simon’s delivery is a good one, but Osimhen can’t get the right connection on the header before Nigeria come again.
Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
18:00 , Chris Wilson90 +2 mins
CLOSE! Another great chance for Osimhen as he’s slid through 1-v-1, but he hits it straight at Mbaba, who makes a good save. Not sure if he’d have been flagged offside anyway.
Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
17:59 , Chris Wilson90 +1 mins
We're into the first minute of 12 at the end of the 90!
GOAL! Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
17:58 , Chris Wilson89 mins
GOAL! Gabon have the equaliser out of nowhere!
There wasn’t a lot happening but Mario Lemina has popped up to save the dream!
The ball is lumped forward and Osayi-Samuel heads clear but straight to the feet of Lemina. He open his body up and looks to find the corner but it takes a wicked deflection that takes it beyond Nwabali at the near post!
Nigeria 1-0 Gabon
17:53 , Chris Wilson86 mins
Gabon aren’t hesitating to push bodies forward as they hunt an equaliser, though they’ve had no luck so far.
They need to make sure they’re not vulnerable on the break too, as Osimhen goes for a lob from around halfway!
Gabon make a sub, with Nze Bagnama coming into midfield in place of Ndong.
Nigeria 1-0 Gabon
17:51 , Chris Wilson83 mins
It’s Nigeria who continue to look dangerous, with Osimhen making a clever run in-behind before being flagged offside as his effort went wide.
Another sub for Nigeria as Adams comes off for Frank Onyeka.
Nigeria 1-0 Gabon
17:49 , Chris Wilson81 mins
Is that the goal that seals it then? Gabon have not offered an awful lot in the second half and they might struggle to get back into this.
GOAL! Nigeria 1-0 Gabon
17:47 , Chris Wilson78 mins
GOAL! The Super Eagles lead!
It’s a disaster for Gabon too, with Appindangoye playing a pass back towards Mbaba but straight into no-man’s land! Mbaba comes out to try and get it but Akor Adams races onto the loose ball and takes it past him easily before slotting into an empty net!
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
17:45 , Chris Wilson76 mins
Nwabali could be forced off here, though he wants to carry on for now.
Gabon make two changes, as Openda and Poko come off for Bryan Meyo and Noha Lemina.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
17:41 , Chris Wilson74 mins
There’s been a real lull in activity since that long VAR review. The match feels more like a group-stage dead rubber than a play-off to make the World Cup!
Nwabali is down for treatment at the moment.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
17:38 , Chris Wilson70 mins
Better from Moses Simon for Nigeria but his first cross is just behind Osimhen before he runs the ball out of play a few moments later. Good to see someone try and take charge though!
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
17:35 , Chris Wilson68 mins
Almost a lucky break for Aubameyang as he chases a backwards header but Nwabali collects.
The match has slowed down in the last 10 minutes or so, and it really feels like the first goal will likely win it!
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
17:32 , Chris Wilson65 mins
Ekomie does well to win a free-kick on the wing, though Osimhen is there to head the delivery behind for a corner.
Fredrick heads the first delivery behind, before Nwabali collects the second set-piece.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
17:28 , Chris Wilson61 mins
Subs for Nigeria as Lookman and Chukwueze come off for Moses Simon and Chidera Ejuke.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
17:26 , Chris Wilson59 mins
An interesting decision for sure, and Nigeria will be thanking their lucky stars! The Super Eagles need to press home their advantage now, but they’re in no rush, stroking the ball around their own half.
NO PENALTY! Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
17:25 , Chris Wilson56 mins
After three minutes or so of reviewing, the referee waves it away! Surprising for sure.
NO PENALTY! Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
17:24 , Chris Wilson55 mins
The replays show a clear and consistent pull on the shirt of Appindangoye from Nigeria defender Osayi-Samuel. The former could well have got onto the end of the ball into the box too.
It’s pretty clear, so not sure why the referee needs so much time to discuss and review it. They seem to be deciding whether or not Appindangoye could have got to the ball, but with such a clear pull, it’s an obvious foul in the box.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
17:20 , Chris Wilson51 mins
Free-kick in a promising position for Gabon now as Sanusi brings down Openda on the wing just outside the area.
It’s a decent delivery and it flies towards the back post but it’s headed away.
However, there are questions to be asked of the ref here, as Gabon defender Appindangoye was having his shirt pulled as he tried to get on the end of it. It’ll be reviewed!
The referee is going to the monitor!
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
17:16 , Chris Wilson48 mins
Bouanga has been one of Gabon’s brightest players despite playing at left-back, and he sees the first shot of the second half blocked in the Nigeria box.
KICK-OFF! Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
17:12 , Chris WilsonBack underway in Rabat! Can either side find a winner in normal time?
HALF-TIME! Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
17:07 , Chris WilsonIt’s been a cagey affair in Rabat and it certainly started slowly, with neither side willing to commit numbers forward.
That soon changed though as Nigeria began to dominate possession, with the Super Eagles looking to utilise the threat of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and co. in attack.
However, they’ve only had one chance of note so far, with Mbaba saving well from Osimhen’s header, while Gabon have wasted some promising openings of their own, with Openda guilty of missing a good chance.
All to play for in the Moroccan capital!
HALF-TIME! Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:57 , Chris WilsonThe referee blows the whistle for half-time and we’re level at the break in Rabat!
Nigeria have been fairly dominant but Gabon have countered well at times, and it’s still all to play for!
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:56 , Chris Wilson45 +6 mins
Hang on! Almost a chance from nowhere for Gabon as Aubameyang latches onto a through ball.
He clearly still has plenty of pace as he beats Fredrick initially to get into the box, but the Nigeria defender does brilliantly to make the challenge to divert the ball for a corner.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:54 , Chris Wilson45 +5 mins
Not a lot of action as the half limps to an end, with plenty of rain falling in Rabat. Bassey and Fredrick are exchanging plenty of passes in defence!
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:52 , Chris Wilson45 +2 mins
Into the third of six minutes of added time here.
Lookman wins a free-kick mid-way into the Gabon half and he has the chance to deliver it into the box. He curls it towards the far post but Mbaba collects easily.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:49 , Chris Wilson45 mins
CLOSE! What a chance for Gabon!
It comes from a counter and it’s fortunate – with the ball breaking kindly in midfield twice – before it’s slotted into the path of Openda, who’s in the box and facing Nwabali, but the winger drills his effort straight at the ‘keeper!
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:48 , Chris Wilson44 mins
Nigeria remain dominant but they still haven't been able to create anything clear-cut this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Aubameyang is the next player to go into the book.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:45 , Chris Wilson40 mins
There was a fairly sizeable break in play while Mbaba received treatment there, but he’s fine to carry on.
He’s called into action almost straight away as well, punching away a dangerous cross from Osayi-Samuel.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:41 , Chris Wilson37 mins
Nigeria haven't been able to press home the advantage they enjoyed earlier, though they do create a promising opportunity as they work it to Osimhen on the edge of the box before the striker slightly mis-hits his long-range effort.
They don't make anything of the corner and Gabon suddenly have a promising counter of their own, led by Aubameyang.
They’re three-v-three with the Nigeria defence but the Marseille man releases it a little late to Poko, who is forced wide.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:37 , Chris Wilson34 mins
More good running from Openda and he wins a corner this time. Bouanga’s cross is a decent one but Nigeria manage to clear it before Ekomia is penalised for a foul throw.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:35 , Chris Wilson31 mins
Lovely dribbling from Openda as he tries to get his side into the game in attack, but his pass towards Aubameyang is a poor one.
Nigeria come again but Chukwueze is crowded out in the box.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:33 , Chris Wilson29 mins
Huge confusion here as Osimhen thinks his side have a goal but the referee has given a foul the other way!
The cross came in from the left and Osimhen again rose highest to power it towards the goal, with Gabon defender Appindangoye attempting to clear it but only managing to poke it towards his own goal. Mbaba gets down well again to push it away but Osimhen thinks it’s crossed the line...
It hasn't, it was a good save in the end!
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:30 , Chris Wilson26 mins
Nigeria are beginning to find plenty of space in midfield and attack now, and they look very dangerous when coming forward.
Osayi-Samuel is the latest to venture into the box after good play from Osimhen, but the full-back can't quite get it under control in order to get the shot away.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:27 , Chris Wilson23 mins
CLOSE! Another chance for Osimhen and he should do much better.
He’s on the end of a lovely through ball into the Gabon box but the angle is tight, and he sort of slips as he scuffs and effort wide from inside the box.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:25 , Chris Wilson20 mins
CLOSE!
Both players are fine to carry on and we’re back underway. Nigeria are straight on the attack again and Iwobi clips in a clever ball from a central position that Osimhen rises highest to meet.
It’s a great header towards the ground and it looks bound for the back of the net but Mbaba does brilliantly to get low and claw it away!
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:22 , Chris Wilson17 mins
Osimhen’s first real involvement sees the Galatasaray striker head Adams’ first-time cross just off-target before Gabon ‘keeper Mbaba clatters into him, and both players need treatment.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:19 , Chris Wilson14 mins
A cagey affair so far in Rabat, though Nigeria are beginning to click in attack.
There is a brief VAR review after a strike from Lookman appears to have hit a hand, but it’s waved away and we carry on.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:15 , Chris Wilson11 mins
Half a chance for Iwobi as he receives the ball on the edge of the box after some strong running from Osayi-Samuel, though the Fulham man blazes an effort over the bar.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:14 , Chris Wilson9 mins
Neither side has been able to gain a real foothold here but Nigeria certainly look better in possession, though Gabon are carrying a threat on the counter.
Mario Lemina is penalised for a cheap foul on Osayi-Samuel and Nigeria have the ball in their own defensive third once more.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:10 , Chris Wilson6 mins
The first yellow card of the day goes to Ndidi after the former Leicester man stops Bounga on the counter.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:09 , Chris Wilson4 mins
The first chance of the day falls to Akor Adams after a fortunate deflection sees the ball fall kindly in the box, though he can’t direct his effort past the ‘keeper when 1-v-1.
Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:06 , Chris Wilson2 mins
Nigeria win an early free-kick that is just about within shooting range, though the effort from Sanusi is a tame one and Mbaba collects.
KICK-OFF! Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
16:03 , Chris WilsonBoth sides hear their national anthems and we’re ready to go! We’re underway in Rabat.
Closing in on kick-off
15:53 , Will CastleWe’re under 10 minutes away from kick-off in Rabat.
The time to rise to the occasion is now for both Nigeria and Gabon. Will the Super Eagles keep their World Cup dreams alive? Or will Gabon send them packing after a far-from-perfect qualifying campaign?
We’ll have all the action, right here!
CONFIRMED GABON TEAM NEWS!
15:45 , Chris WilsonGabon XI: Mbaba; Ecuele, Ekomie, Oyono; Appindangoyé, Lemina, Openda, Ndong, Poko, Bouanga, Aubameyang.
How does the new World Cup format work?
15:45 , Will CastleThe top two finishers in each group will qualify automatically for the last-32, along with the eight best third-placed teams.
The ranking of the third-placed teams will be determined by points, then goal difference, then goals scored. If two or more teams are still level, then “team conduct scores” will come into play (a yellow card is minus one point, a red card via two yellow cards is minus three points, and a straight red card is minus four). If still equal, the team with the highest world ranking will progress.
Still no official word on Gabon team
15:41 , Will CastleLess than 20 minutes until kick-off in Rabat... and still we wait for the Gabon XI.
Here’s a reminder of who we think will play.
Predicted Gabon XI: Mbaba; Onfia, M’bemba, Manga; Lemina, Kanga, Ndong, Averlant; Obiang, Bouanga, Aubameyang.
How does the World Cup draw work?
15:30 , Will CastleThe 48 nations will be divided into 12 groups containing four teams each, one from each of four draw pots.
Pot one will contain the three host nations – USA, Canada and Mexico – plus the nine top countries in the Fifa world rankings who have qualified for the tournament. Already, Mexico have been assigned Group A, Canada to Group B and the USA to Group C.
Pots two, three and four will contain the next 12 best-ranked sides in order so that, theoretically, the groups will be balanced and the best teams will be kept separate until the knockout rounds.
Teams from the same confederation will be kept apart in the group stage, except for Europe where there are more teams (16) than groups. No group will have more than two European nations.
When is the World Cup 2026 draw?
15:20 , Will CastleThe draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place at 5pm GMT/12pm EST on Friday 5 December, at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. The US president Donald Trump is expected to be in attendance.
Still waiting on Gabon team news
15:13 , Will CastleWe’ll bring you Gabon’s line-up as soon as we have it...
Osimhen and Adams spearhead front-heavy Nigeria side
15:12 , Will CastleEric Chelle has not held back with his attacking force with his side’s World Cup participation at stake.
He starts Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams up top with Ademola Lookman likely to play just behind the two strikers. Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi will be expected to occupy either wing, with Wilfred Ndidi captaining the side in the hole to form a diamond.
Calvin Bassey and Benjamin Fredrick will marshal the defence as the Super Eagles’ centre-back pairing.
CONFIRMED NIGERIA TEAM NEWS!
15:04 , Will CastleNigeria XI: Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Fredrick, Bassey, Sanusi; Ndidi, Chukwueze, Iwobi, Lookman; Adams, Osimhen.
Team News 🗞️
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 13, 2025
©️ Ndidi leads the team as captain
🛡️ Bassey and Frederick marshal the defense
👕 Iwobi makes his 90th Super Eagles appearance#NGAGAB #SoarSuperEagles #FIFAWCQ pic.twitter.com/mUaRJy1YqV
Team news on the way
14:55 , Will CastleWe’re expecting team news in a few minutes - here’s a reminder of what we know so far...
Nigeria boss Eric Chelle has close to a full-strength squad available, welcoming Ademola Lookman back from suspension to join Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze in attack. The only injury involving the Super Eagles regards Ola Aina, who has been out for a couple of months.
Gabon are also buoyed by a returning attacking talent, with talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang similarly back in contention after serving a suspension. They are without without several key players due to injury, however, including Jim Allevinah, Shavy Babicka, Medwin Biteghe, Michel Mboula and Junior Noubi Fotso.
The other side of the play-off
14:40 , Will CastleThis afternoon’s clash between Nigeria and Gabon is only one half of the play-off, with Cameroon and DR Congo clashing later today to see who will face the winner here.
Cameroon hold the record for most apprearances by an African nation at the tournament but the eight-time participants must now go down the perilous play-off path after surrendering their lead at the top of Group D.
DR Congo, meanwhile, are hoping to stun the Indomitable Lions in pursuit of a first World Cup appearance since 1974, one which came as Zaire.
The game kicks off at 7pm GMT, also in Rabat, and is available to stream on Fifa+.
The CAF play-off final will be held on Sunday, where the final African participant in next summer’s World Cup will be decided.
Which African countries already qualified for the World Cup?
14:20 , Will CastleQualifying places available: Nine, plus one into intercontinental play-offs
Teams already qualified: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast
The four-best runners-up from the group stage are now competing in the play-offs to determine who goes through to the intercontinental play-offs, i.e. a play-off for a play-off.
Who can qualify for the World Cup this week?
14:00 , Jamie BraidwoodWorld Cup qualifying is hurtling towards a conclusion with some of the final places ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico up for grabs over the next two weeks.
So far, 28 teams have booked their places in what has already been a historic campaign for three first-time qualifiers, with Jordan, Uzbekistan and the Cape Verde islands all through to the 48-team finals.
Jamie Braidwood breaks down who can ensure their participation at next summer’s finals:
How Gabon booked their place in the play-offs
13:40 , Will CastleGabon endured a slightly less stressful group stage, with progression to at least the play-offs hardly ever in doubt.
But while there was elation for the Super Eagles on the final matchday, it was disappointment for Gabon, who missed out on an automatic qualification spot by one point to Ivory Coast.
Gabon finished 12 points clear of third-placed Gambia on 25 points.
How Nigeria booked their place in the play-offs
13:20 , Will CastleTo say World Cup qualification has been perilous for Nigeria would be an understatement.
After stuttering their way through much of the group games, failing to convert many draws into wins, a late flurry saw them within reach of second spot as they faced fellow contenders Benin on the final matchday.
When it mattered most, Victor Osimhen grabbed a hat-trick to spearhead a 4-0 victory and keep Nigeria’s hopes alive, ensuring they ended the group stage as one of the four best runners-up in African qualifying.
Predicted line-ups
13:04 , Will CastleNigeria XI: Nwabali; Frederick, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Chukwueze, Ndidi, Iwobi, Lookman, Simon; Osimhen.
Gabon XI: Mbaba; Onfia, M’bemba, Manga; Lemina, Kanga, Ndong, Averlant; Obiang, Bouanga, Aubameyang.
Gabon team news
13:03 , Will CastleGabon are also buoyed by a returning attacking talent, with talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang similarly back in contention after serving a suspension.
They are without without several key players due to injury, however, including Jim Allevinah, Shavy Babicka, Medwin Biteghe, Michel Mboula and Junior Noubi Fotso.
Nigeria team news
13:02 , Will CastleNigeria boss Eric Chelle has close to a full-strength squad available, welcoming Ademola Lookman back from suspension to join Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze in attack.
The only injury involving the Super Eagles regards Ola Aina, who has been out for a couple of months.
Is Nigeria vs Gabon on TV?
13:01 , Will CastleNigeria’s play-off against Gabon kicks off at 4pm GMT on Thursday 13 November at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live via the Fifa+ streaming service.
Nigeria vs Gabon live
13:00 , Will CastleNigeria host Gabon today in a defining play-off which will take the winner one step closer to qualifying for the World Cup in 2026.
The Super Eagles endured a poor start to the qualifying campaign but produced a fantastic, and much-needed, winning run in their last few matches to force their way into the play-offs. That included a thrashing of Benin which sent Nigeria into the top two of African qualifying Group C.
They now take on Gabon who easily secured a play-off spot by finishing 12 points ahead of Gambia in Group F. The Panthers missed out on the automatic spot by one point, with Ivory Coast topping the group instead, but they will be confident about today’s encounter.
They are unbeaten in their last seven competitive matches and know that beating Nigeria will put them within touching distance of the World Cup. The winner of this tie will face either Congo or Cameroon in the play-off final.
Good afternoon!
Wednesday 12 November 2025 14:24 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s World Cup qualifying play-off.
Nigeria are at risk of failing to reach the World Cup in 2026 and must overcome more play-off matches if they are to secure a spot in Mexico, Canada and the United States.
That includes today’s clash with Gabon who are in top form and have eyes on a World Cup place themselves.
Kick off for this match is at 4pm and we’ll have all the build-up beforehand.
