Nigeria v Gabon
Venue: Stade Prince Moulay Hassan (Rabat)
Time: 4 pm
Date: Wednesday 13th November 2025
Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)
TV Schedule: Super Sport Africa (Grandstand, ROA)
Preview
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have blown hot and cold in the qualifiers since matchday 1, but ended on a high note by thrashing competitors Benin 4-0 in Oyo. Nigeria needed to win convincingly against the Cheetahs and executed the assignment impeccably.
The defeat ended Benin’s unbelievable dream and paved the way for Nigeria to finish behind Hugo Broos’ South Africa.
Eric Chelle looks like he has been turning things around for Nigeria after remaining unbeaten, even though he lost twice at the 2025 CHAN in East Africa with the Home Eagles.
Super Eagles’ last defeat came almost a year ago when they were shockingly beaten 2-1 by Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo under Augustine Eguavon in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
Victor Osimhen and co missed the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after losing on an away goal rule against Ghana in the play-off. The Super Eagles are ready to beat Gabon in their bid for the big show to be hosted in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Chelle’s squad boasts the backbone of Stanley Nwabali, Calvin Bassey, William Troost-Ekong, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Victor Osimhen, who, on paper, are formidable.
Gabon, on the other hand, can never be underrated after losing only one in the 10 games played in the World Cup qualifiers.
The Panthers of Gabon won eight games and drew one. Led by the evergreen Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon is confident that it can, for the second time, beat Nigeria in any competitive game.
The in-form Aubameyang scored four against the Gambia and received a red card, hence missing the team’s final game against Burundi.
In his absence, Bruno Ecuele Manga, Mario Lemina, Didier Ndong, Guelor Kanga and Denis Bouanga stepped up and did the business for the minnows.
Head-to Head
It has been 20 years now since Nigeria and Gabon met in any competition. In total, the two nations have met on 9 occasions in all competitions, with Nigeria winning five, as Gabon has won just once and secured three draws against the Super Eagles.
Friendly games
1965: Gabon 2-2 Nigeria
1965: Gabon 1-4
1983: Gabon 0-0 Nigeria
1999: Gabon 0-2 Nigeria
Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
Tunisia 1994
Nigeria 3-0 Gabon
Nigeria opened their title-winning campaign with a 3-0 massacre of Gabon, with Rashidi Yekini’s brace and Mutiu Adepoju’s sole strike
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
The two nations have met on four occasions in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where Nigeria have won two, drawn one and lost one.
1989: Gabon 2-1 Nigeria
1989: Nigeria 3-0 Gabon
2004: Gabon 1-1 Nigeria
2005: Nigeria 2-0 Gabon
Nigeria’s predicted starting XI
(4-3-3)
Nwabali (GK)
Fredrick, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Sanusi (DF)
Iwobi, Onyeka, Ndidi (MF)
Lookman, Osimhen, Chukwueze (ATT)
Gabon predicted starting XI
(4-3-3)
Mbaba (GK)
Averlant, Ecuele Manga, Onfia, M’bemba
Mario Lemina, Kanga, Didier Ndong,
Obiang, Aubamenyang, Denis Bouanga
Predictions
Nigeria’s experience is expected to help them get over the line, but you get it wrong if you underrate Gabon, as the Panthers are too good to be underestimated.
Nigeria 2-1 Gabon
