Former Super Eagles and Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi has warned Nigerian players against complacency if they want to secure victory against Gabon in their 2026 World Cup play-offs game, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria, led by Eric Chelle, overturned a slow start to the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers by booking their spot in the playoffs dramatically on the final day last month.
Following that, the Super Eagles now have to battle Gabon in the first semifinal of the continental playoffs in Rabat, Morocco. At the same time, Cameroon and DR Congo face off in the other semifinal game.
Nigeria missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after being knocked out by Ghana on home soil, and Mikel has now advised the Eagles on what to do if they want to emerge as the continent’s representative at the end of the tournament in Morocco.
“The first game is the most important. Gabon is the most important game,” the 38-year-old said on the Obi One Podcast.
“Don’t underestimate Gabon, please don’t, because if we do that, then we are in trouble. Go into that game and play like this is the last game you will ever play in your life, win that game and then we can think about either Cameroon or someone else. The mistake we are going to make is to think it’s just Gabon, and then we are done completely.
“Go in the game, play as we should, with full confidence, bravery, and passion, knowing you are wearing the green white green, the badge of that green white green is huge. 300 million people, that’s a lot of pressure, but you have to deal with it. I know they can do it and I believe in them,” the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner concluded.
Nigeria v Gabon match at the Stade Prince Moulay El Hassan on Thursday has been scheduled to kick off at 5pm (Nigerian time).
