Nigeria's Super Eagles stand on the cusp of joining the 2026 FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Six-nation Playoffs in Mexico next March, with only the Democratic Republic of Congo's Leopards standing in their way. The high-stakes final playoff, scheduled for Sunday at 8 pm in Rabat, Morocco, will determine Africa's representative for the mini-tournament, where two coveted World Cup tickets are available for the taking. The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by USA, Mexico, and Canada.

The Super Eagles, under the management of Eric Sekou Chelle, have been in formidable form, boasting a record of four wins and a draw, with 14 goals scored and only four conceded. This impressive run has earned Chelle praise, with many believing he would have secured an automatic World Cup ticket had he managed the qualifying campaign from the start. Nigeria earned this second chance after failing in the Group C qualifiers, progressing to the final after a decisive 4-1 victory over Gabon in the semi-final. A significant boost for the Nigerian squad is the confirmation from CAF that midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, initially feared to be suspended, is eligible to play in the final, as cautions from the qualifiers do not carry over to the playoffs.

Coach Chelle is expected to maintain his winning starting XI. The likely lineup includes Stanley Nwabali in goal, with a back four of Benjamin Fredericks, Semi Ajaiyi (returning from suspension), Calvin Bassey, and Zaidu Sanusi. The midfield is projected to feature Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Frank Onyeka. Upfront, the prolific 2023 Africa Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, is expected to lead the attack, potentially flanked by Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon or Akor Adams, with Ademola Lookman, Chidera Ejuke, and Tolu Arokodare as strong attacking options. Osimhen, with 31 goals in 45 senior national team matches and 160 club goals, is considered one of the most feared forwards globally and holds the key to Nigeria's success.

The Congolese Leopards, coached by Sébastien Desabre, proved their mettle by stopping Cameroon's Indomitable Lions in their semi-final clash. Historically, Nigeria holds a significant edge, having attended the World Cup six times with two Round of 16 appearances, while DR Congo's only previous appearance was a scandalous one in 1974, where they lost all three matches, including a 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia. However, this final playoff presents their best route to end their long-standing dream of returning to the Mundial.

A central figure for DR Congo is their