Victor Osimhen | File Image
By Valentine Amanze
Super Eagles of Nigeria, which kept hope alife of playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup by beating Benin Republic 4-0 in Uyo on Tuesday, is to play Gabon in the Africa’s semi-finals of the run-offs of the tournament.
This followed the conclusion of the qualifying group matches on Tuesday.
Gabon confirmed second place in Group F with a 2–0 win against Burundi.
South Africa topped the group with 18 points, while Nigeria closely followed in second place with 17 points.
Nigeria
Victor Osimhen scored a hat-trick against Benin Republic on Tuesday.
Ivory Coast defeated Kenya to top the group.
In other matches, DR Congo sealed their qualification with a 1–0 win over Sudan, finishing as runners-up in Group B behind Senegal.
Also read: Super Eagles hammer Cheeters of Benin Rep 3-0
Cameroon scaled through them after placing second in Group D behind Cape Verde.
“In the CAF Play-offs, Nigeria will take on Gabon’s the Panthers in a ‘first semi-final’ on Thursday, November 13, with Cameroon taking on the Democratic Republic of Congo in the ‘second semi-final’ on Friday, November 14.
“The two winners clash on Sunday, November 16 in the ‘final’, with the winner to proceed to the Intercontinental Play-offs scheduled for the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey in March next year,” the Nigeria Football Federation said in a statement on Tuesday.
At the International Play-off tournament, six teams will battle for two tickets, for a chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
“The teams are Africa’s winner, Bolivia, New Caledonia, the winner of the Asian play-off between Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, and two of Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Panama,” the statement added.
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