The Super Eagles are potentially two wins away from qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. One of those fixtures comes up tonight at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat, Morocco. It is on that same ground where DR Congo will file out against Nigeria that the Super Eagles thrashed Gabon 4-1 last Friday, while the Congolese pipped Cameroon 1-0 at the Al Barid Stadium, also in Rabat.
Victory tonight will allow Nigeria progress to the intercontinental mini-tournament to join four other teams from the same number of continents to contest for the last two tickets of next year’s finals in North America. Of all the teams that have qualified for the intercontinental tournament and those on the verge of it, only Panama from the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) have a better FIFA ranking than Nigeria. As at the last ranking, Panama are rated 31 in the world, while Nigeria stand at 41.
The other countries still in contention for the intercontinental playoffs are ranked in this order: Costa Rica (45), Iraq (57), DR Congo (60), United Arab Republic (67), Honduras (64), Jamaica (68), Bolivia (76), Curaçao (82), Haiti (88), Suriname (126) and New Caledonia (150). Only Bolivia and New Caledonia have qualified for the intercontinental playoffs among the teams listed.
The best ranked qualifiers for the intercontinental fixtures will automatically qualify for the final of the mini-tournament to be played in the North America next March. The FIFA ranking in February or March next year is likely to be used to determine the draw for the intercontinental playoffs, where the least ranked four teams will play the semifinals with the winners facing each of the two best ranked sides for the two final tickets.
A boost to the Super Eagles, as they make final preparations to face the Leopards of DR Congo, was the clarification from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is not suspended for the clash against DR Congo.
The Beşiktaş star picked a yellow card in Nigeria’s 4-1 over Gabon, and with the earlier one at the group stage, it was speculated that he would miss the Nigeria versus DR Congo fixture. But CAF said at the weekend that yellow cards accumulated during the FIFA World Cup qualifying rounds do not count in the playoff stage. ‘Cautions accumulated during the World Cup qualifiers do not carry over into the playoffs; only confirmed suspensions apply’, the body clarified.
Ndidi is expected to play a key role in the midfield as the Super Eagles push for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Goal-merchant Victor Osimhen is another player Nigerians are expecting to make the FIFA World Cup dream comes to be. The Galatasaray super striker has banged in eight goals in the qualifiers despite his non-availability through illness in some of the Super Eagles games. Expect him to fire the team to victory, and on the edge of qualification, tonight.
Nigeria and their opponents, DR Congo, did not have it easy for themselves in their last matches on Thursday as they left it very late to secure wins. While Gabon dragged the Super Eagles to extra time, the Congolese waited till the 91st minute before breaking the deadlock against Cameroon.
DR Congo showed that they pose a threat to Nigeria as they demonstrated discipline, compact defending and strong counter-attacking play in overcoming the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. These are all qualities that the Super Eagles must take seriously. With the likes of Cedric Bakambu, Chancel Mbemba and Nathaniel Nbumku leading Congo’s frontline, the Nigerian backline will need full concentration to avoid costly lapses.
On paper, Nigeria hold the stronger squad with Osimhen, Akor Adams, Alex Iwobi and Benjamin Frederick all in top form and ready to influence the battle. Their experience at major tournaments and consistency at club level give the Super Eagles a slight edge heading into the decisive encounter, alongside the way they managed to manage the pressure that the team suffered versus Gabon.
