Rabat, Morocco – The stage don set as four African giants, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and DR Congo, go head-to-head for that sweet World Cup qualification. This CAF playoffs dey happen this Thursday and na winner-takes-all style be this one o! Make una no forget to grab your popcorn!
Na only four of dem make am as the top runners-up for the nine African qualifying groups. Drumming for this showdown, na the winner wey go keep their dream alive as di 10th African representative for di World Cup 2026, plus all di palm wine celebrations after!
All eyes go dey on Morocco’s capital, Rabat, wey go host di playoffs. Dem go use three different stadiums to see who fit shine pass. Al Barid Stadium and Moulay El Hassan Stadium go dey used for di semifinals. But di final go hold for di newly built Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. E don ready for action like na di AFCON final wey dey come up too!
As dem prepare, di clock dey tick. First match don chop time and na Nigeria dem go play against Gabon for di first semifinal. Later, Cameroon go meet DR Congo. Na serious matter, no second chances here, so if your team slack, Na dem own be dat!
As per FIFA ranking, Nigeria dey sit for 41st place, followed by Cameroon in 54th, Congo DR dey 60th, and Gabon dey last with 77th. No wahala, na di rankings wey determine di match-ups. Nigeria go face Gabon first, while Cameroon go tangle with Congo DR.
Di winner of dis mini-tournament go progress to di FIFA intercontinental playoff scheduled for March, wey go determine di final two teams for di World Cup. Na serious business o! For now, nine African countries don qualify straight from di group stage, including Algeria, Ghana, Morocco, and di rest. Dis na di large lineup wey dey ready to watch di action unfold.
Di playoffs dem serious gbagam! Dem dey gree say if Nigeria and Cameroon no fit shake di table, their performance no dey match their potential. Na wah! Super Eagles don struggle for their qualifying campaign but dem dey catch some fresh form with di recent changes in coaching. And we no forget say Victor Osimhen dey ready to fire dem shots!
For Gabon and DR Congo, dis na their chance to shine bright like diamond. Gabon never ever qualify for World Cup before, but dem dey believe in their squad, led by di likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as dem dey ready to give Oga FIFA something to chop!
As di days dey come closer, fans go dey hold their breath, because football no be just game; e be life! So, make we all gather deh on Thursday to witness who go carry di ticket to glory or who go go back home to their mamas. Abeg, grab your jersey and prepare for some serious football drama!
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor@nnn.ng
