Nigeria face DR Congo in a World Cup play-off final tonight after beating Gabon.
The Super Eagles' hopes of qualifying for next summer’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States remains alive, but there is still a long way to go.
Having missed out on automatic qualification to South Africa, who topped Group C with a final-day victory over Rwanda, Nigeria beat Benin 4-0 to book a place in a mini-tournament, consisting of the four best runners-up in the first round group phase.
In fact, Frank Onyeka’s late goal meant the West African nation edged out Burkina Faso on goal difference.
Therefore, as per FIFA’s latest rankings, Nigeria - the highest-ranked team of the four at 41st - were paired with Gabon - the lowest at 77th - for the second round semi-final.
After the tie had finished 1-1 in regulation time, Chidera Ejuke struck early in the first period of extra-time before Victor Osimhen netted a brace to help Eric Chelle’s side overcome the Panthers.
Meanwhile, in the other semi-final, DR Congo left it late to get the better of Bryan Mbeumo’s Cameroon as Chancel Mbemba netted in the 91st minute to set up a winner-takes-all showdown with Nigeria.
How can Nigeria qualify for 2026 World Cup?
For Nigeria, it’s one obstacle down and several more to go.
They now move onto the CAF play-off-final against DR Congo which will take place on neutral ground in Morocco today, Sunday, November 16 to decide Africa’s sole representative in a further inter-confederation play-off stage.
The inter-confederation play-offs will be conducted in March next year, with six teams from five confederations playing for the final two spots at the World Cup.
Should Nigeria get that far they will have to successfully negotiate a further tie in order to qualify for their first World Cup tournament since 2018 when they were eliminated at the group stage.
