Nigeria will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final of the Africa playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after both sides recorded decisive victories in their semi-final matches in Morocco on Saturday.
The Super Eagles advanced with an emphatic 4–1 extra-time win over Gabon at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat. Akor Adams first put Nigeria ahead in the 78th minute, but Gabon forced extra time after Mario Lemina’s deflected strike levelled the match in the 89th minute. Nigeria, however, dominated the additional period. Chidera Ejuke restored the lead with his first international goal, before Victor Osimhen scored twice late on to secure a convincing win and send the three-time African champions into Sunday’s final.
In the second semi-final, DR Congo edged Cameroon 1–0 at the Stade El Barid in Rabat. Captain Chancel Mbemba delivered the decisive goal in first-half stoppage time, heading in a Brian Cipenga corner to eliminate the five-time African champions. The result confirms that Cameroon — Africa’s most frequent World Cup participant with eight appearances — will miss the expanded 48-team tournament after earlier surrendering the direct qualification spot to Cape Verde.
Nigeria and DR Congo now advance to Sunday’s playoff final in Morocco, with the winner progressing to a six-team intercontinental qualifier in Mexico in March 2026. That series will determine the final two nations to join co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States at the 2026 World Cup.