Nigeria set to face Gabon in CAF playoff semifinal for 2026 World Cup

Nigeria will face Gabon in a semifinal of the Confederation of African Football playoffs for a place in the intercontinental playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the match scheduled for November 13 in Morocco. The four-team mini tournament, which also features Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, will run through November 16 and produce one side that advances to the intercontinental playoff in March 2026.

Nigeria secured one of the four runners-up berths after a 4-0 home win over Benin on the final day of CAF qualifying, a result that followed Victor Osimhen's hat-trick and a stoppage-time goal from Frank Onyeka. Gabon clinched its place by finishing second in Group F. Cameroon and DR Congo qualified as the other best runners-up from the nine qualifying groups. The pairings were set by FIFA ranking order, with the highest-ranked team facing the lowest and the remaining two teams paired together.

The playoff format calls for single-leg semifinals on November 13, followed by a single-match final on November 16. All fixtures will be played at neutral venues in Morocco yet to be named. If matches are level after 90 minutes, extra time and, if required, penalty...