CAF picks El Barid Stadium, Prince Moulay El Hassan Complex as venues
Gabon has warned Nigeria that it is preparing for the 2026 World Cup African playoff game with the aim of upsetting the Super Eagles to qualify for their first Mundial.

Nigeria and Gabon will meet in one of the semifinals of the African playoff in Morocco on November 13.

The winner of the game will battle with the victor in the second semifinal between Cameroon and Congo DR on November 16 for the chance to represent Africa in the inter-continental playoff billed for March next year.

Nigeria is rated higher than Gabon, but the Gabonese believe that the game would be settled on the pitch with the better-prepared team winning, rather than the pedigree of the sides.

The Panthers’ Coach, Thierry Mouyouma, seems too sure that his side would be the better-prepared team on November 13.

Nigeria finished as the runners-up to South Africa in Group C of the African qualifying series, while Gabon came second behind Cote d’Ivoire in Group F.

Gabon got 25 points in their group, while Nigeria had 17 points, and according to the former Gabonese international, the Panthers showed in the qualifiers that they can mix it with the best of African football.

The coach told Sporting News Africa: “To get 25 points and not qualify is hard to take. We are ready. It will be a good match to play (against Nigeria), and a good test for the 2025 AFCON.”

He said his squad is brimming with confidence and determination to make their first World Cup, adding that the return of Skipper Pierre Emerick Aubameyang will boost their chances of upsetting the Super Eagles.

Aubameyang was suspended from their last group game during the qualifying due to accumulated yellow cards, but he is free to face the Super Eagles now.

Mouyouma described the game as much more than a match, saying that it is an open door to the World Cup dream.

He said that the Panthers are a squad in great form, led by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Denis Bouanga and Mario Lemina.

He added that the experience of these stars, combined with players such as Aaron Appindangoye or Guélor Kanga, could weigh heavily in the balance against a Nigeria that remains unpredictable.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), yesterday, confirmed the full schedule for the African qualifiers, with the Super Eagles set to open the mini-tournament against Gabon in Rabat, Morocco.

CAF, in collaboration with hosts Morocco, announced that the matches will be held across two venues: the El Barid Stadium and Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex in Rabat.