The stage is set for a dramatic African football showdown as Gabon's head coach Thierry Mouyouma has launched a psychological attack on Nigeria's Super Eagles just days before their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff encounter.
Mouyouma's Bold Declaration
During a press conference in Libreville, the Gabonese coach made it clear that his team fears no one, directly challenging Nigeria's perceived superiority. Mouyouma stated that the traditional notion of the strongest team always winning no longer applies in modern football, specifically referencing Nigeria's failure to top their qualifying group.
"The Nigeria we are facing was a top team in the group, and in the end, they did not qualify because they were not first in the group," Mouyouma pointed out. "What used to be said that the strongest always win doesn't exist today. When you look at Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo, and Gabon, the top could easily be Gabon."
Super Eagles Respond with Strong Squad
Meanwhile, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has unveiled a powerful 24-man squad packed with talent and experience for the must-win match. The roster features star players including Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, and Wilfred Ndidi, signaling Nigeria's serious intentions to secure World Cup qualification.
In a significant development, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye returns to the squad after serving a two-month suspension for betting violations. The defensive lineup appears solid with William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Bright Osayi-Samuel providing stability, though Oluwasemilogo Ajayi will miss the opening match due to suspension from accumulated yellow cards.
Chelle has also demonstrated his willingness to blend youth with experience by handing call-ups to emerging talents Benjamin Fredericks and Tolu Arokodare, creating a balanced squad capable of handling the high-pressure situation.
High-Stakes Playoff in Morocco
The crucial encounter between Nigeria and Gabon is scheduled for November 13 at the Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan in Rabat, Morocco. This match represents the first semi-final of the African playoff tournament, with Cameroon facing Democratic Republic of Congo in the second semi-final later the same day.
Only the winners from each tie will advance to the final, scheduled just three days later, to determine Africa's representative in the intercontinental playoff round. For Nigeria, this match carries extra significance as the Super Eagles aim to return to the world stage after missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The match promises to be a tense affair, with Gabon's coach making it clear that reputation means little when the whistle blows. Nigeria will need to rely on Osimhen's attacking prowess and Iwobi's creative midfield abilities to overcome a confident Gabonese side that believes they can cause an upset.
Former Nigeria international Victor Ikpeba has already issued his own warning to Coach Chelle, urging him to field the same players used during Nigeria's encounter with Benin Republic on the final day of World Cup qualifiers.
