Venue for Super Eagles’ crucial World Cup qualifying playoff against Gabon confirmed

Ayoola Kelechi 22:48 - 28 October 2025

Victor Osimhen for Super Eagles || Image credit: Imago

AFCON 2025 means a lot to Victor Osimhen and the Super Eagles || Image credit: Imago

Nigeria's Super Eagles will take on Gabon in their first match of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers playoffs

The Super Eagles’ hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup have entered a decisive phase as their playoff venue has now been confirmed.

The showdown against Gabon will take place in Rabat, Morocco, a location that has already witnessed a significant Nigerian victory recently.

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Rabat confirmed as playoff venue

Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana revealed the development on X, stating, “I have just been told by National Sports Commission chairman Alh. Shehu Dikko that Rabat has been confirmed to the teams as the venue for the FIFA World Cup Playoffs for CAF.

“I presume it will be the Olympic Stadium, which hosted the opening and closing games of the WAFCON.”

https://twitter.com/osasuo/status/1983074107269734769

This confirmation sets the stage for what promises to be one of the Super Eagles’ most crucial fixtures in recent years, as they seek to secure a ticket to the global showpiece.

After struggling through the main group phase, Nigeria’s last chance of making the 2026 World Cup lies in the playoffs.

Chelle confident of World Cup qualification

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, who took charge in the middle of the qualifying campaign, expressed confidence that Nigeria will qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

“I think the team has improved since I took over. It is difficult because you don’t have enough time to work. The FIFA window is usually short, and you have a small time to work with, so focus is on one or two principles of play,” Chelle explained.

Despite limited preparation time, he praised his players’ commitment and leadership group of William Troost-Ekong, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, and Victor Osimhen, for driving the team’s progress.

“This isn’t luck,” he stressed. “When I took this job with my technical staff, we did not sit down. We came to work and gave everything for this team and for this country.” Chelle concluded by affirming his belief: “The most important is November… We want to go to the World Cup.”

The Super Eagles will first take on Gabon, before facing either Cameroon on DR Congo for Africa’s spot in the interconfederation playoff.