The World Cup dreams of Nigeria hang in the balance as they prepare for a decisive play-off clash against Gabon this Thursday. The Super Eagles, after a turbulent qualifying campaign, secured their spot in this final showdown with a commanding victory over Benin.
Match Details and How to Watch
The crucial encounter is scheduled for Thursday, 13 November 2025, with a 4pm GMT kick-off. The match will not be played on either nation's home soil; instead, it will be hosted at the neutral Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
For football fans in the United Kingdom eager to catch every moment of this high-stakes match, the broadcast details are straightforward. The game will be shown live exclusively via the FIFA+ streaming service, ensuring you won't miss a minute of the action.
Team News and Tactical Outlook
Nigeria manager Eric Chelle receives a significant boost with the return of attacker Ademola Lookman from suspension. Lookman is expected to slot back into an offensive line alongside the formidable Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze, giving the Super Eagles a potent attacking threat. The sole injury concern for the Nigerian squad remains Ola Aina, who has been sidelined for several months.
Gabon, known as the Panthers, are similarly bolstered by the return of their iconic captain and talisman, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has also served a suspension. However, their camp is dealing with a lengthy injury list that rules out several key players, including Jim Allevinah, Shavy Babicka, Medwin Biteghe, Michel Mboula, and Junior Noubi Fotso.
Predicted Line-Ups and What's at Stake
The anticipated starting eleven for Nigeria sees a strong lineup with Nwabali in goal; a defence of Frederick, Ekong, Bassey, and Onyemaechi; a midfield featuring Ndidi and Iwobi; and a dangerous attacking trio of Chukwueze, Lookman, and Simon supporting star striker Osimhen.
Gabon is expected to respond with Mbaba guarding the net; a backline of Onfia, M’bemba, and Manga; a midfield anchored by Lemina, Kanga, and Ndong; and an attacking force led by the returning Aubameyang, supported by Obiang and Bouanga.
The prize for the victor of this single match is immense: a place in the next round of the play-offs, where they will face the winner of the tie between Congo and Cameroon. For Nigeria, this match represents a chance to salvage their World Cup aspirations after a difficult group stage, while Gabon will be looking to overcome the disappointment of missing out on automatic qualification by a single point.
