Nigeria vs. Gabon preview, prediction, team news and head-to-head

The winner of this clash will make it to the final of the playoffs, where they will face the winner between Cameroon and DR Congo.

Nigeria was on the verge of missing out on the 2026 World Cup, but a 4-0 win over the Benin Republic in their final group game saw them make it to the playoffs.

The Super Eagles finished as one of the best second-placed teams, behind group leaders South Africa. 

Gabon, on the other hand, blitzed their group and finished just one point behind group winners Ivory Coast. 

Now, both teams will have an opportunity to represent Africa at the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff in Mexico next March if they can scale this hurdle.

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Nigeria have dominated meetings between these teams with five wins in nine encounters, just one defeat and three draws. 

They have met twice in World Cup qualifiers, with the Super Eagles winning 1-0 in 1989 and 2-0 in 2005.

Nigeria will be missing Semi Ajayi due to an accumulation of yellow cards, but they have every other player available in the 24-man squad, including Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, who returns from suspension.

All eyes will be on in-form Victor Osimhen, who bagged a hat-trick in the Champions League last week. The Galatasaray striker has scored 29 goals in 43 caps for the Super Eagles, and he will look to get closer to Rashidi Yekini’s all-time record of 39.

Who pairs him in attack will be a big decision for Eric Chelle, with Sevilla’s Akor Adams – who scored on his debut – and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Tolu Arokodare in contention.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will lead Gabon, with the 36-year-old Marseille striker hoping to make the difference for the Panthers.

Osimhen’s Galatasaray teammate Mario Lemina will likely start in midfield, while Denis Bouanga, who was Gabon’s top scorer in the qualifiers with eight goals, is also in the squad.

Nigeria: Nwabali; Frederick, Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Simon, Ndidi, Iwobi, Lookman; Osimhen, Adams

Gabon: Mbaba; Onfia, M’bemba, Manga; Lemina, Kanga, Ndong, Averlant; Obiang, Bouanga, Aubameyang

Gabon carry huge threat in attack, scoring 22 goals during the group stage of the qualifiers, but in knockout football, stopping goals is quite key as the game will be tight.

The Panthers let in nine goals, compared to Nigeria’s eight, and the Super Eagles have a better depth and an in-form Osimhen, who could make the difference.

Correct score prediction: Nigeria 2-1 Gabon

Betting tips:

• Nigeria to win

• Victor Osimhen anytime goalscorer

• Over 2.5 cards