Nigeria vs. Gabon: CAF World Cup qualifying updates, highlights, and result for Super Eagles' final spot bid.

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• Live updates, highlights and commentary from Nigeria vs. Gabon
• What time does the match kick off?
• Team news and lineups
• Where to watch where you are

Nigeria face Gabon today in the semifinals of the CAF World Cup qualification playoff round.

The Super Eagles somehow kept their dreams alive of reaching next year's finals by thrashing Benin in a decisive game back in October. They must now attempt to defeat Thierry Mouyouma's side to progress to a final on Sunday against either Cameroon or DR Congo.

Only the winners of this month's mini-tournament will secure their place in the inter-continental playoffs next March and compete for one of two spots in the World Cup group stage.

All matches are being staged in Morocco, giving this the feel of a condensed Africa Cup of Nations, with Africa's premier competition taking place in the country in December.

Nigeria vs. Gabon live score

Venue: Moulay Hassan Stadium (Rabat, Morocco)
Referee: Tom Abongile (South Africa)

Predicted lineups:

Nigeria (4-3-3, right to left):  Nwabali (GK) — Fredrick, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Sanusi — Iwobi, Onyeka, Ndidi — Simon, Osimhen, Chukwueze

Gabon (4-2-3-1, right to left): Mbaba (GK) — Onfia, M'bemba, Manga — Lemina, Kanga, Ndong, Averlant — Obiang, Bouanga, Aubameyang

Nigeria-Gabon: updates, highlights, commentary

1 hour 30 mins before kickoff: The importance of this game can't be ignored, and yet Nigeria's players caused a storm earlier in the week when they went on strike over a dispute with the country's football federation relating to bonus payments. However, captain William Troost-Ekong announced via X on Wednesday that the issue was "resolved". Still, not a great way to prepare for a fixture of this magnitude.

Issue RESOLVED. Outstanding financials cleared and on ground. Team is UNITED and focussed as before on representing NIGERIA with our maximum for the games ahead! 🇳🇬 @NGSuperEagles

— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) November 12, 2025

2 hours before kickoff: Somehow, Nigeria are still alive in the race to reach the World Cup. Only the victors today will stay in the hunt for the finals. It's all to play for.

Nigeria vs. Gabon kick off time

This CAF World Cup qualifying playoff semifinal takes place at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco and kicks off on Thursday, November 13 at 5 p.m. Local time.

Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:

Nigeria vs. Gabon lineups, team news

It feels likely that Chelle will stick with a very similar set-up to the one that thrashed Benin to secure their playoff place.

Frank Onyeka  could earn a starting spot after his decisive appearance off the bench in October, in which he scored the fourth goal in stoppage time. That would add a little more balance to midfield, with the Super Eagles not needing to chase a big scoreline as they did a month ago.

MORE: All you need to know about the 2026 World Cup draw

Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze provided plenty of opportunities for hat-trick hero Victor Osimhen last time out, and that feels like the strongest forward line at Chelle's disposal, with Ademola Lookman  likely better as an impact sub.

 In defence, William Troost-Ekong will hope to return to the lineup in place of Semi Ajayi to partner Calvin Bassey.

Nigeria predicted starting XI (4-3-3, right to left):  Nwabali (GK) — Fredrick, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Sanusi — Iwobi, Onyeka, Ndidi — Simon, Osimhen, Chukwueze

Gabon are missing a handful of key players, including Jim Allevinah, Shavy Babicka, Medwin Biteghe, Michel Mboula, and Junior Noubi Fotso.

Much like Nigeria and Osimhen, their hopes will largely rest on the shoulders of their most famous star forward: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Marseille striker, who has four goals in 10 Ligue 1 games this season.

Gabon predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Mbaba (GK) — Onfia, M'bemba, Manga — Lemina, Kanga, Ndong, Averlant — Obiang, Bouanga, Aubameyang

Nigeria vs. Gabon live stream, TV channel

Here is how to watch the match in some of the world's major regions: