Star African forwards Victor Osimhen of Nigeria and Bryan Mbeumo of Cameroon are set to lead their nations in a crucial battle for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Both players will feature as the continent’s top teams compete in the African World Cup play-offs this week.
Nigeria take on Gabon, while Cameroon face the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday in Rabat, Morocco, in the semi-finals of the play-offs. The winners of both fixtures will clash on Sunday in the Moroccan capital, with a spot in the intercontinental play-offs next March up for grabs.
Whoever represents Africa will face teams from Central America/Caribbean, Bolivia, New Caledonia, and either Iraq or the United Arab Emirates — with two coveted World Cup tickets available.
Nigeria enter the tie as strong favourites, while Cameroon are also tipped to advance to the final. The Super Eagles and Indomitable Lions will be looking to join Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia, who have already booked their tickets to the expanded 48-team World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Osimhen, who netted a hat-trick against Benin in the final qualifying round, also scored another treble for Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League, cementing his reputation as one of the world’s deadliest strikers.
“I love Victor. He is the best striker in the world,” said Eric Chelle, Nigeria’s coach. “It will be very difficult in Morocco.”
Gabon, led by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Bouanga, head into the match as underdogs despite recording the best play-off record with eight wins and one draw. Bouanga, based in Los Angeles, is among the nominees for the 2025 African Player of the Year award.
“We have discovered many new players, and the team now has a solid core. Gabon are capable of achieving great things,” Bouanga said.
In the other fixture, Bryan Mbeumo has been in sensational form for Manchester United, scoring four goals in his last four games and earning the Premier League Player of the Month award for October. Cameroon coach Marc Brys hopes his star forward can replicate that form to fire the Indomitable Lions past DR Congo.
Cameroon have qualified for the World Cup a record eight times, while DR Congo will be missing injured winger Yoane Wissa, a key absence that could tilt the balance.
As the African play-offs kick off, all eyes will be on Osimhen and Mbeumo — two of the continent’s brightest stars — as they fight to bring their nations one step closer to football’s biggest stage
