CAF Announces 2026 World Cup African Playoffs: Nigeria Faces Gabon, Cameroon Meets DR Congo

The Confederation of African Football has revealed the semifinals for the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs in Morocco from November 13 to 16, matching Nigeria against Gabon and Cameroon against DR Congo.

Winners advance to a single-leg final, with the victor qualifying for inter-confederation playoffs to vie for two additional World Cup spots.

Nigeria secured their place via Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick in a 4-0 victory over Benin, while a revised points system excluded Burkina Faso despite their 21 points, using neutral venues based on FIFA rankings for fairness.

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…. Nigeria Keeps Qualification Hopes Alive

ABUJA, Nigeria – In a nail-biting clash that had Nigerian football fans on the edge of their seats, the Super Eagles of Nigeria scraped through a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lesotho in their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday evening. The win, though far from convincing, injects fresh life into Nigeria’s qualification campaign, keeping their dreams of a return to the global stage firmly intact.

A Desperate Push for Points: Nigeria’s Must-Win Scenario

Heading into the match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, the pressure was palpable on coach Eric Chelle’s squad. The Super Eagles sat third in Group C with 11 points, trailing leaders Benin Republic by three and South Africa by the same margin. A loss or draw would have been catastrophic, potentially derailing their momentum in the race for one of Africa’s five automatic spots at the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

The first half was a tale of dominance without reward. Nigeria, boasting stars like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, controlled possession and peppered Lesotho’s defense with chances but failed to break the deadlock. The frustration was evident as the whistle blew for halftime, with the scoreline stubbornly locked at 0-0. Fans and pundits alike whispered concerns about another qualifying stumble, reminiscent of past heartbreaks in African campaigns.

Second-Half Drama: Penalties, Debut Glory, and a Late Scare

The tide turned dramatically after the break. In the 55th minute, a handball in the box gifted Nigeria a penalty, which captain William Troost-Ekong dispatched with ice-cold precision, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. The goal ignited the crowd and shifted the momentum, putting the Eagles 1-0 up and easing some of the mounting tension.

Enter debutant Akor Adams, the Lille forward who stole the show with a moment of brilliance. In the 68th minute, Adams latched onto a pinpoint through-ball, shrugged off his marker, and slotted home a composed finish to make it 2-0. It was a debut to remember, signaling the arrival of fresh talent in Chelle’s rebuilding project.

But football’s cruel unpredictability struck late. A defensive mix-up in the 82nd minute allowed Lesotho’s Sekhonyana Lemohang to pounce and rifle in a consolation goal, pulling one back and setting up a frantic finish. The Super Eagles held firm, with goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali making a crucial save in added time to secure the three vital points.

What’s Next? A Showdown with Benin Republic Looms

This gritty triumph catapults Nigeria to 14 points, closing the gap to Benin Republic to just one point ahead of their mouthwatering finale next Tuesday in Uyo. The Super Eagles will host the Squirrels in what promises to be a defining battle for group supremacy. A win there could propel Chelle’s men into second place, setting up a favorable run-in against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Coach Chelle, speaking post-match, urged calm amid the euphoria: “We showed character today. The boys fought for every inch, but we must sharpen our finishing. Benin will be tough, but we’re ready to roar.”

Broader Implications for Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup Dream

Nigeria’s path to the 2026 World Cup has been anything but smooth, marked by draws against South Africa and Lesotho earlier in the cycle. Yet, with this result, the three-time African champions remain firmly in contention. The expanded 48-team tournament offers more opportunities for African sides, but competition in Group C is fierce—Benin Republic’s shock leadership underscores the unpredictability of qualifiers.

As the Super Eagles gear up for the Benin clash, all eyes are on whether Osimhen’s injury concerns will sideline him and if Adams’ debut spark can ignite a late surge. For Nigerian fans, the message is clear: the road to 2026 is bumpy, but the Eagles are still soaring.

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles Tackle Lesotho in Key World Cup Qualifier

Nigeria’s Super Eagles face Lesotho in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, on October 10, 2025, at 5:00 PM Nigerian time.

Currently third in CAF Group C with two matches left, the team under coach Eric Chelle fields stars like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman in a 4-2-3-1 formation to secure a win and boost qualification chances after recent draws.

Fans are rallying on social media, emphasizing the need for three points to revive hopes of returning to the World Cup since 2018.

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Ansu Fati struck twice from the penalty spot to rescue AS Monaco from defeat in a thrilling 2–2 draw against OGC Nice in the Côte d’Azur derby at the Stade Louis II on Sunday.

Nice appeared to be cruising to victory after Sofiane Diop scored twice against his former club to give the visitors a 2–0 lead. However, the game turned dramatically when Ali Abdi received a straight red card midway through the second half, reducing Nice to ten men and shifting momentum toward Monaco.

Monaco capitalized on their numerical advantage as Fati converted two penalties — one in the 72nd minute and another deep into stoppage time — to secure a point for the home side.

The result extends Monaco’s unbeaten run at home, while Nice remain without a win in their last three league outings.

Since joining Monaco on loan from FC Barcelona, Fati has been in blistering form, scoring five goals in three Ligue 1 matches, quickly establishing himself as a fan favorite on the French Riviera.

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ABA, Oct. 5, 2025 – Enyimba FC and Rivers United maintained their unbeaten starts to the 2025/2026 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season after playing out a tense 0–0 draw at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, on Sunday evening.

The highly anticipated fixture lived up to its billing as two of Nigeria’s most consistent clubs went head-to-head in a tactical battle that produced few clear chances but plenty of intensity.

Both sides showed flashes of attacking intent in the opening stages, with Enyimba’s Chijioke Mbaoma and Rivers United’s Nyima Nwagua testing the goalkeepers early on. However, neither team could find the cutting edge needed to break the deadlock, as defenses held firm throughout the 90 minutes.

Enyimba, managed by Finidi George, extended their unbeaten run to seven matches with the draw, while Stanley Eguma’s Rivers United also preserved their flawless start to the campaign.

The result means both clubs remain firmly in the top half of the NPFL standings, with title ambitions very much intact.

While fans may have hoped for goals, the encounter showcased the tactical discipline and competitive balance that continue to define the NPFL this season.

Key Match Stats:

• Final Score: Enyimba 0–0 Rivers United
• Venue: Enyimba International Stadium, Aba
• Kick-off: 4 p.m. (Nigerian time)
• Season: 2025/2026 NPFL Matchday 7

Post-Match Quote:

“It was a tough game between two strong sides,” Enyimba coach Finidi George said after the match. “We’ll take the point and focus on our next fixture.”

Rivers United coach Stanley Eguma echoed similar sentiments, noting that his side “showed character and resilience” away from home.

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