SUPER Eagles Coach Eric Chelle is set to meet with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Committee this week to finalize his squad list and tidy up preparation plans ahead of the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff billed to kick off on November 13 in Morocco.
News Point Nigeria Sports report that Nigeria will lock horns with Gabon in the opening semifinal of the mini-tournament.
A victory will see the Super Eagles advance to face the winner between Cameroon and DR Congo in a decisive showdown on November 16, which will determine who progresses to the FIFA intercontinental playoff in March 2026.
Speaking to this newspaper on Monday, an NFF official revealed that Chelle has already prepared his provisional squad list, but the meeting with the federation will help finalize the names, logistics and camping arrangements before players begin to arrive.
“Preparations began immediately after the last Group C qualifier against the Republic of Benin because of the importance of these playoffs,” the official stated.
The senior national team is scheduled to assemble in Morocco on November 9, with an advance party expected to leave the country ahead of the players to set up logistics and accommodation arrangements.
“All the players will fly directly to Morocco, while the coach and his backroom staff will depart Nigeria,” the official added.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the adoption of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the winner-takes-all playoff series.
The move is aimed at ensuring fairness and minimizing controversial decisions as teams vie for one of Africa’s last pathways to the expanded 48-team World Cup 2026, to be hosted in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Only the eventual winner of the Morocco playoffs will advance to the FIFA intercontinental playoff, where a single win secures a ticket to the global showpiece.
The high-stakes playoff format has increased tension and expectations in Nigeria, where fans are hopeful that the Super Eagles will overcome recent setbacks and earn a return to the world’s biggest football tournament.
