Caf releases details of World Cup play-offs revealing that Nigeria will face Gabon in Rabat

CONTINENTAL body the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has published details of next month's World Cup play-offs highlighting the fact that Nigeria's Super Eagles will face the Black panthers of Gabon in their first match in the Moroccan city of Rabat.

After emerging as one of the four best second placed teams in the group phase, the Super Eagles have qualified for the continental playoffs, alongside Gabon DR Congo and Cameroon. They will play a mini tournament in Morocco between November 13 and 16, with the winner going on to feature in an inter-continental play-off next March in Mexico, from which two teams will qualify for the World Cup.

Caf has now released details of the continental tournament, revealing that the matches will take place across two venues in Morocco. They will be the El Barid Stadium and Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex in Rabat, with a draw to be held on October 30 to determine which semi-final is hosted in which stadium.

Nigeria, who finished as runners-up to South Africa in Group C, benefited from Eritrea’s withdrawal, which reshaped the standings and kept the country's qualification hopes alive. According to Caf, the Super Eagles will face the Black Panthers at 17.0.0 local time (1600 GMT) on Thursday, 13 November.

For Nigeria, this encounter is about redemption and restoration as having missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the three-time African champions are determined to reclaim their spot on the global stage. Head coach Eric Chelle will be eager to see his side respond with conviction after an uneven qualifying campaign.

Gabon on the other hand are on a mission of their own as they have never qualified for a World Cup and will see this as a golden opportunity to rewrite their footballing history. Gabon finished just one point behind African champions Ivory Coast in Group F and will be relying on one of Africa’s greatest goalscorers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, to see them through.

This fixture is the 10th meeting between Nigeria and Gabon. Nigeria have won five of the previous nine clashes, drawn three and lost just once in a 2-1 defeat in a World Cup qualifier in 1989.

According to Caf, the second semi-final, also set for November 13, will feature Cameroon against the Democratic Republic of Congo at 20.00 local time (19.00 GMT). Winners of both semi-finals will clash in the final at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium on Sunday,  November 16, with kickoff at 20.00 local time.

Meanwhile, Brentford full-back Michael Kayode has fuelled fresh speculation about his international future after following the official Instagram account of the Super Eagles. This social media move comes just as Mr Chelle hinted that he could invite one or two new players to camp ahead of the World Cup playoffs.

Kayode, 21, born in Italy to Nigerian parents, is still eligible to play for Nigeria despite representing Italy at the youth level. A right fullback, who is seen as an ideal replacement for the injured Ola Aina, Kayode, joined Brentford from Fiorentina on a long-term deal until 2030 and has been one of the team's standout performers so far this season.