Nigeria face Gabon in Rabat, Morocco on Thursday in the semifinals of the CAF World Cup qualifying playoffs.
The Super Eagles produced a remarkable 4-0 win over Benin in October to snatch second place in Group C and progress to this month’s mini-tournament along with Gabon, Cameroon, and DR Congo.
The winners of the two semifinals will contest a final on Sunday for the right to enter the inter-confederation playoffs in March 2026, where two spots at the World Cup will be up for grabs.
Eric Chelle’s team have had a turbulent qualifying period but know that, should they replicate the performance level they showed against Benin, they have a good chance of overcoming a Gabon side who sit 36 places below them in the FIFA rankings.
Nigeria lineup vs. Gabon: Predicted starting XI, team news
It feels likely that Chelle will stick with a very similar set-up to the one that thrashed Benin to secure their playoff place.
Frank Onyeka could earn a starting spot after his decisive appearance off the bench in October, in which he scored the fourth goal in stoppage time. That would add a little more balance to midfield, with the Super Eagles not needing to chase a big scoreline as they did a month ago.
Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze provided plenty of opportunities for hat-trick hero Victor Osimhen last time out, and that feels like the strongest forward line at Chelle’s disposal, with Ademola Lookman likely better as an impact sub.
In defence, William Troost-Ekong will hope to return to the lineup in place of Semi Ajayi to partner Calvin Bassey.
Nigeria predicted starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Fredrick, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Sanusi — Iwobi, Onyeka, Ndidi — Simon, Osimhen, Chukwueze
Full Nigeria squad
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, Maduka Okoye
Defenders: William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Chidozie Awaziem, Benjamin Fredrick, Zaidu Sanusi
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Wilfred Ndidi
Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Olakunle Olusegun.
Nigeria vs. Gabon match details
- Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
- Kickoff time: 5 p.m. local / 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. IST / 3 a.m. AEST (Nov. 14)
- Location: Moulay Hassan Stadium (Rabat, Morocco)
- Competition: CAF World Cup Qualifier (playoff semifinal)
- Referee: Tom Abongile (South Africa)
