African football is bracing for fireworks as Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo gear up for what could be a defining week in the race to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With only one of them likely to keep the dream alive, all eyes turn to Rabat, Morocco, where Nigeria face Gabon and Cameroon meet DR Congo in the semi-finals of the African play-offs this Thursday.

The winners will clash on Sunday, also in Rabat, for a spot in next March’s intercontinental play-offs, where Africa’s representative will battle teams from CONCACAF, Bolivia, New Caledonia, and either Iraq or the UAE for two golden World Cup tickets.

The Super Eagles and the Indomitable Lions are both tipped to reach the final, with bookmakers and fans predicting a classic African rivalry if both sides advance.

This comes as the continent’s top 10 have already sealed their spots — Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia — leaving just one slot open for Africa’s 10th representative in the expanded 48-team World Cup across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Victor Osimhen remains in terrifying form. The reigning African Player of the Year fired a hat-trick against Benin last month to send Nigeria through on goal difference, then followed up with another Champions League treble for Galatasaray against Ajax — taking his tally to six goals in the competition.

“I love Victor. He’s the best striker in the world right now,”
said Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, who is unbeaten in six competitive matches since taking charge.

On the other side, Bryan Mbeumo, fresh off another electric run for Brentford in the Premier League, has become Cameroon’s main man, contributing goals and assists in almost every qualifier this year.

The 24-year-old, who netted against Egypt and DR Congo earlier in the campaign, says the Lions are “ready to fight to the end” for a World Cup return.

While Gabon enter as underdogs — ranked 36 places below Nigeria — their record speaks volumes: eight wins and a draw in qualifying.
The Panthers’ attacking duo of Aaron Boupendza and Denis Bouanga have been electric, combining for 14 goals in their campaign and vowing to shock the favourites.

DR Congo, meanwhile, boast a physical, confident side led by Yoane Wissa and Cedric Bakambu, and will not be easy for Mbeumo and his teammates to brush aside.