Nigeria vs Gabon: Official lineups are in

13.11.25 AET World Cup Qualification CAF

Nigeria

4

:

Gabon

1

The first semi-final of the 2026 World Cup playoffs is set for Thursday. Check out the official lineups for this high-stakes Nigeria vs Gabon clash.

The opening semi-final of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers playoffs in the Africa zone features Nigeria facing Gabon this Thursday. On home turf, the Super Eagles line up in a 4-4-2 formation with Stanley Nwabali guarding the net behind Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredrick, Calvin Bassey, and Zaidu Sanusi. The midfield is anchored by Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi. Up front, Victor Osimhen is joined by Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze, and Ademola Lookman.

The Panthers, meanwhile, are set up in a 4-3-3 with Loyce Mbaba as the last line of defense. The official starting elevens:

Nigeria: Nwabali - Osayi-Samuel, Fredrick, Bassey, Sanusi - Chukwueze, Iwobi, Ndidi, Lookman - Adams, Osimhen

Gabon: Mbaba - Ekomie, Ecuele Manga, Appindangoyé, A. Oyono - Poko, Ndong, M. Lemina - Openda, Aubameyang, Bouanga

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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World Cup Qualification CAF