Nigeria will take on the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the final of the Africa playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the decisive victories recorded by both countries in their semi-final fixtures in Morocco on Thursday night.
Super Eagles booked their place in the playoff final with a commanding 4–1 extra-time win over Gabon at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
Akor Adams appeared to have settled the contest when he fired Nigeria ahead in the 78th minute, but Mario Lemina’s deflected effort in the 89th minute forced the match into extra time.
But Nigeria regained full control in the additional period. Chidera Ejuke struck early to restore the lead with his first goal for the national team, before Victor Osimhen delivered a late brace to seal a convincing victory and send the three-time African champions into Sunday’s decisive encounter.
Later in Rabat, DR Congo claimed the second ticket to the final after defeating Cameroon 1–0 at the Stade El Barid. Captain Chancel Mbemba produced the breakthrough in the first minute of stoppage time, evading his marker to steer in a Brian Cipenga corner and knock out the five-time African champions.
With the defeat, Cameroon — the African nation with the most World Cup appearances (eight) — will miss the expanded 48-team tournament, having earlier lost the automatic qualification spot to Cape Verde.
With both semi-finals settled, Nigeria and DR Congo will now meet in the continental play-off final on Sunday in Morocco, where the winner will advance to a six-team intercontinental qualifier scheduled for Mexico in March 2026.
That series will decide the final two teams that join the 2026 World Cup co-hosts — Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
