The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face-off with the Panthers of Gabon in the first semi-finals of the CAF World Cup playoffs.
Nigeria secured qualification as the fourth second-placed team in the World Cup qualifiers courtesy of a commanding 4-0 win over Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday night.
The Super Eagles finished second behind group winners South Africa with 17 points but placed fourth with 15 points in the ranking of the second-placed teams.
Meanwhile, Gabon finished top of the second-placed teams at the end of the qualification series with 19 points after six points got deducted as their results against Sychelles who finished last in the group was rendered void according to FIFA/CAF regulation.
The Super Eagles will contend with the Panthers on November 13 in Morocco for a place in the final where they will play either Cameroon or DR Congo.
The winner of the Africa playoffs will represent the continent in the inter-conferderation playoffs in March, next year.
If Nigeria wins the playoffs at the expense of Gabon, Cameroon, and Congo, they will advance to the inter-confederation World Cup playoffs.
Nigeria will have a seeded status as the highest ranked team and will only need to play the final and not the semi-final.
The Super Eagles will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer if they win the final.
