Panthers of Gabon head coach Thierry Mouyouma has said his team is battle ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs with the Super Eagles of Nigeria, reports Completesports.com.
The West Africans are looking to qualify for the global soccer fiesta for the first time.
The Panthers have impressed so far in the qualifiers, losing once in 10 games.
Mouyouma On Super Eagles Clash
Mouyouma declared that they will keep pushing to achieve their objective.
“In a few days, my team and I will face a major African footballing nation: Nigeria,”he wrote on his X account.
“This playoff match represents a turning point for us, as it could pave our way to the World Cup.
“As I said recently. We have a dream: to go to the World Cup. And that dream still exists.”
We will do everything in our power to achieve it.
“Because the most important thing is not just to dream big, but to give ourselves the ability to make it happen.
“So let’s stay focused for this Thursday, November 13, during the Gabon vs. Nigeria match.
“And if we win, we will face the winners of the DRC-Cameroon match.
To you, dear Gabonese people,
your support is our fuel.
Let’s keep believing.”
Gabon will face the Super Eagles in the semi-final of the playoffs
By Adeboye Amosu
6 Comments
Quick remainder to @chelle and whoever it may concern, Ajayi is not eligible for the match against Gabon due to suspension.
We do Not want story that touch later pls. Love the fact @chelle still invite him though, that’s telling us he is looking beyond Gabon so as to play Ajayi against either cameroun
@Femi Chelle included Ajayi, incase Nigeria make it past Gabon in which Ajayi, would be eligable again as he would have served his 1 Match ban. Remember this Playoffs in 2 games for the winners of the first Match ( AJayi has a 1 game suspension)
Or Congo.
Good reminder @Femi to coach Chelle and NFF! We do not want the case of the South African FA bungle over fielding suspended Mokoena and losing 3 points and 3 goals. In their case they had more than a 2nd chance; in the playoffs its a disaster and end of the road if Ajayi is fielded in the Thursday game against Gabon!
And like suggested, Chelle and his wards must practice penalty kicks, just in case the match ends in a draw after regulation and extra times- not just for the Gabon game, but all subsequent game(s) in the playoffs.
This is not fair on Nigerians.
Gabon had a full house on Sunday night.
Cameroon had a full house last night.
I don’t know about Congo.
We are still waiting for a full house at this time with 48 hours left.
It’s not fair.
It’s not fair.
It’s not fair.
This is why Ojeikere, a sports columnist, posited that, if not our league was decrepit, our national team should have been full of home based stars that “are hungry for fame and fortune” and would have since been in camp one week before even waiting for a blend of few foreign based stars.
Should having nearly all overseas based stars be a “curse” or a “blessing”?
As it stands, Chelle will not do more than 2 sessions with a full house.
Tor.
When will they practice spot kicks now?
Kel said the stars were aligning in our favour all through the most tortuous WC qualifiers yet.
I hope our luck still continues.
This is why it will be VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE to ever have a long close camping for our senior national teams: falcons and eagles.
I pity Afcon 2025 preparations in December.
Clubs will hold us to ransom because they are not “obligated” to release players early at that time when league and title races will be fierce that period.
Only teams with predominantly home based stars will enjoy that period. Their football federations, e.g. SAFA can pause their leagues early enough.
Anyway, that’s what the players are paid to do. That’s their work. Let me reason mine.
Since 2nd position in 2023 edition could bring houses and national awards for feats reserved for CHAMPIONS before, they might as well ….
It’s mid-day Tuesday, and 3 players are yet to be in camp, including Osimhen. It was all over the web as he hurriedly left after the Sunday game, telling reporters and fans he needed to catch a flight for the playoffs.
Did he fly to Lagos rather than Rabat? Tomorrow is the only full day left for training and tactical plans.