Former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr believes Nigeria has the best chance of winning the upcoming CAF World Cup play-offs and ultimately clinching Africa’s tenth ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Footynaija.com reports.
The play-offs are set to kick off on November 13 and anticipation is steadily building as Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon and DR Congo get ready to do battle for a chance to be part of Africa’s contingent to The United States, Mexico and Canada next summer.
Nigeria and Gabon will lock horns in the first play-offs semi-final while Cameroon and DR Congo square off in the other tie. The winners of both semi-finals will face off on November 16 for a chance to proceed to the inter-continental play-offs in March 2026.
Analyzing the strengths of all four nations involved during a recent interview with Nation Sport, Rohr singled out the Super Eagles of Nigeria as the likeliest candidates to go all the way and secure themselves a World Cup ticket.
“Gabon and Nigeria are two good teams. Some of their (Gabonese) players are still the same ones I worked with between 2010 and 2012 when we reached the quarter-finals of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON),” he said.
“Aubameyang was a young player at that time (2012), and their captain, Bruno Ecuele Manga, is still there. But I think Nigeria has better players. If they play collectively like they did against Benin, I think they can beat Gabon.
“The winner of the final ticket will be difficult to predict because the match between Cameroon and DR Congo will not be easy. Perhaps, DR Congo are a bit stronger because they have individually better quality players than Cameroon.
“Again, Cameroon are also facing some administrative problems that may affect their performance, so I think the final could be between Nigeria and DR Congo.
“The continental playoffs in Mexico will be very difficult, but there’s still hope. I think Nigeria can do it because they have the best players and a good image. It will be good for FIFA to have a nation like Nigeria, with almost 200 million people, at the World Cup. It would make the tournament more exciting.”
Rohr clearly retains immense faith in Nigeria’s potential to deliver when it matters most and the Super Eagles, with their stacked squad, will also be confident of soaring past their African rivals and taking a giant step toward the 2026 World Cup.
