Entertainment
Sports: Nigeria Face Gabon In Crucial 2026 World Cup Play-Off
Sports: Nigeria Face Gabon In Crucial 2026 World Cup Play-Off
Sports: Nigeria face Gabon in crucial 2026 World Nigeria may have missed out on automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Still, Thursday’s semi-final play-off against Gabon offers them a lifeline of reaching the competition billed for North America next year.
The Super Eagles, one of Africa’s football powerhouses, lost the Group C automatic slot to South Africa, finishing on 17 points, one behind the Bafana Bafana after the last round of qualifiers last month. In fact, the 2013 AFCON winners only sneaked into the play-offs courtesy of a better goal difference ahead of the Stallions of Burkina Faso. They needed a 4-0 defeat of their neighbour, the Benin Republic, to take over from their fellow West Africans.
Against the Panthers of Gabon at the Stade Prince Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat, Morocco, Nigeria may hope for a similar outcome to progress in their plans of qualifying for the World Cup in the Americas.
The Super Eagles’ fortunes in the early stage of the World Cup qualifier were terrible; they managed only three points in their first four games. However, they finished on 17 points, which is a sharp contrast to Gabon, which reached the play-offs with 25 points, one behind Group F winners, Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria vs Gabon: Form Guide
Although Nigeria faltered in the initial stages of the World Cup qualifiers, the team has now been steadied under Eric Chelle, who took over in January. The Super Eagles have won three of their last four World Cup qualification games, drawing only one game away to rivals South Africa.
Their opponents posted a similar result, winning three and drawing one (against Côte d’Ivoire) in their last four World Cup qualification matches.
Osimhen, Aubameyang Headline Stars to Watch in Nigeria Vs Gabon Play-Off
Not surprisingly, both sides boast of an array of attacking talents with a former African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, headlining Nigeria’s squad.
Gabon can bank on the experience of Olympique Marseille star, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a former African Player of the Year, who has also featured for some of Europe’s biggest sides, including Arsenal, Barcelona, and Borussia Dortmund.
Delta Government Gives Deadline For Tourism, Hospitality Registration Renewal
Delta government gives deadline for tourism, hospitality registration renewal. Mr Ijeh stated that the directive involved the establishments in the sector.
The Delta State Government has directed operators in the tourism and hospitality industry to renew their business registrations and settle outstanding fees for 2025 without further delay.
The commissioner for culture and tourism, Darlington Ijeh, gave the directive in a statement issued in Asaba on Friday.
Mr Ijeh stated that the directive involved the establishments in the sector.
He said, “These include hotels, motels, guest houses, restaurants, fast-food outlets, tour operators, travel agencies, amusement parks, gardens, nightclubs, and other related businesses.”
Delta Government Gives Deadline For Tourism
He warned that non-compliance would attract stringent penalties under the law, including sealing the premises.
“The cooperation of all stakeholders in ensuring full compliance is hereby solicited. This notice serves as an official reminder for all operators to update their registration with the Delta State Tourism Board,” he added.
The commissioner also said that the directive formed part of the state government’s broader strategy to streamline operations within the tourism and hospitality sector.
He, therefore, advised operators to visit the State Tourism Board promptly to complete the registration or renewal process to avoid enforcement actions and financial penalties.
“Nigeria Would Have Been A World Power If It Kept Its Oil Wealth”: Akon
“Nigeria would have been a world power if it kept its oil wealth”: Akon. Senegalese-American singer and entrepreneur Akon has stated that Nigeria could have been one of the richest and most powerful countries in the world if it had retained full control of its oil revenues since independence in 1960.
Nigeria Would Have Been A World Power If It Kept Its Oil Wealth
In an Instagram post, Akon imagined an alternate reality where Nigeria’s oil wealth remained in local hands — suggesting Lagos would rival London and New York as a global financial hub, and Nigerian universities would lead in science and technology. He added that Nollywood would surpass Hollywood in influence and that Africa’s economic power could have reshaped the global order.
Akon emphasized that while history cannot be rewritten, Africa still has the opportunity to reclaim control over its resources and shape its destiny.
Peter Obi Reacts To Supper Eagles’ Unpaid Allowances, Says ‘Now Disgraced Country’
Peter Obi reacts to supper Eagles’ unpaid allowances, says ‘now disgraced country’. Peter Obi, former presidential candidate, has described the Super Eagles protesting unpaid allowances as “what is found in a now disgraced country”.
On Tuesday, the Super Eagles players and officials boycotted their scheduled evening training session due to outstanding payment owed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The players are yet to receive their allowances for qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2026 World Cup playoff.
Reacting to the situation, Obi, in a tweet on X, said it is “unfortunate” that the players are owed while “we always seem to find money to waste on needless lavish spending and political patronage”.
“That is what is found in a ‘now disgraced country’,” the tweet reads.
“When those who serve their country are not treated with dignity, it sends the wrong message to our youth, that hard work and service are not rewarded. Those who represent Nigeria deserves to be paid promptly and treated with respect. We must do better.”
Peter Obi
US President Donald Trump had called Nigeria a “now disgraced country” a few weeks ago while threatening military action over alleged Christian persecution in the country.
The Super Eagles play Gabon in one of the semi-finals for the 2026 African World Cup playoffs on Thursday.
The winner of the match will face either Congo DR or Cameroon in the final to clinch the sole slot to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoff.
The players are not expected back in training except the outstanding issue is addressed.
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