Nigeria and DR Congo face off on Sunday in the final of the CAF World Cup qualifying playoff round.
The Super Eagles defeated Gabon 4-1 after extra time in Thursday's semifinal to book their place in this final and keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup next year.
DR Congo stunned Cameroon with a late winning goal in their last match, and given they have won three of the six previous meetings with Nigeria dating back to 1966, they may fancy their chances to producing another surprise.
The winner of this game will progress to the inter-confederation playoffs next March, at which nations from different qualifying regions will have the chance to compete for two spots in the World Cup group stage.
Eric Chelle's Nigeria have won five of their past six games and scored eight goals across their most recent two fixtures, so they come into this final as heavy favourites against a team ranked 19 places below them. However, with so much at stake in Rabat, this is likely to be a closely fought encounter.
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Nigeria lineup vs. DR Congo: Starting XI, team news
Eric Chelle was expected to name a similar starting lineup from the semifinal, and he has done so with a few slight alterations.
Wilfred Ndidi has been cleared to play after it was clarified that his yellow card against Gabon, his second of the qualification cycle, will not incur a suspension as bookings do not carry over from the group stage to the playoff round.
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Semi Ayaji is available again after serving a suspension of his own, and he returns along the back, partnering with Calvin Bassey and moving Benjamin Fredrick out wide to the right.
Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman were both substituted during normal time of the semifinal, so they should be well rested. Victor Osimhen is a lock to start every game, but this time he will be alone as Frank Onyeka enters as an extra midfielder to replace striker Akor Adams.
Nigeria confirmed starting XI (4-5-1): Nwabali (GK) — Fredrick, Ajayi, Bassey, Sanusi — Chukwueze, Onyeka, Iwobi, Ndidi, Lookman — Osimhen.
Nigeria subs: Okoye (GK), Obasogie (GK), Troost-Ekong, Awaziem, Osayi-Samuel, Onyemaechi, Onyedika, Simon, Ejuke, Abdullahi, Arokodare, Adams.
Full Nigeria squad
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, Maduka Okoye
Defenders: William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Chidozie Awaziem, Benjamin Fredrick, Zaidu Sanusi
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Wilfred Ndidi
Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Olakunle Olusegun.
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Nigeria vs. DR Congo match details
- Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025
- Kickoff time: 8 p.m. Local / 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT / 12:30 a.m. IST (Nov. 17) / 6 a.m. AEDT (Nov. 17)
- Location: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium (Rabat, Morocco)
- Competition: CAF World Cup Qualifier (playoff final)
- Referee: Jalal Jayed (MOR)