The Super Eagles of Nigeria qualified for the Play-offs by putting four goals past the Republic of Benin in Uyo on Tuesday…
Head coach of the Gabon National team, Thierry Mouyouma, is already looking forward to his team's clash against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Morocco next month, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Panthers accrued 25 points from a possible 30 in their qualification journey, losing just one game in the process.
As a result, Gabon ended up in second place in Group F, just one point below Ivory Coast who have already secured qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Nigeria, on the other hand, needed to win against Benin with a margin of at least four goals to get to the play-offs, and they did.
Mouyouma looking forward to Super Eagles clash
With just one spot available for African teams in the play-offs, Nigeria have to defeat Gabon in Morocco next month.
The winner of the game will take on whoever comes out on top between Cameroon and DR Congo.
While it's a go-hard-or-go-home fixture for both sides, Gabon's head coach played down the anticipation and instead mentioned playing Nigeria would help his side prepare for the AFCON tournament in December.
“To get 25 points and not qualify is hard to take. We are ready. It will be a good match to play (against Nigeria), and a good test for the 2025 Afcon,” the 50-year-old told Sporting News Africa.
Nonetheless, the former Wits United defender is counting on his star man, Aubameyang, to lead the lines next month.
“He plays a fundamental role as a technical leader,” Mouyouma said in an interview with CAF online.
“He remains one of our captains and maintains exemplary motivation. In my view, he should have won the African Player of the Year award at a time when his statistics spoke for themselves.
“For fifteen years, no African striker has shown such consistency. Scoring four goals in a qualifying match is exceptional.
“He proves that age is just a number. His mentality, desire, and professionalism benefit everyone, players and staff alike,” the Gabon manager concluded.
The game between Nigeria and Gabon will be played in Morocco on Thursday, 13 November.
