Nigeria’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup just got tougher, as FIFA has officially confirmed that Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi will miss the crucial playoff clash against Gabon in November.
The announcement, which reached the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) earlier this week, means Ajayi will not be available when the Super Eagles take on the Panthers in Morocco, a must-win fixture that will determine who advances to the Intercontinental Playoff for a World Cup ticket.
A Costly Suspension
Ajayi’s absence comes as a major setback for Nigeria’s defence. The Hull City centre-back has been in excellent form since returning from injury and was a key figure in Nigeria’s recent 4–0 win over the Benin Republic.
However, that victory also brought him trouble, he picked up his second yellow card of the qualifiers during the match, automatically triggering a one-game suspension under FIFA’s disciplinary rules.
As a result, the England-born defender will sit out the first leg of Nigeria’s playoff against Gabon. Should the Super Eagles progress, he will be available for selection in the final round of the playoffs.
Despite being suspended, reports suggest Ajayi will still travel with the team to Morocco, continue training, and provide support in camp as the team prepares for their biggest test yet.
Super Eagles looking to regroup
The Super Eagles, three-time African champions, narrowly missed out on topping their qualification group. They finished second behind South Africa in Group C, securing a playoff spot as one of the four best runners-up alongside Gabon, Cameroon, and DR Congo.
Their convincing victory over Benin restored confidence after a shaky qualification campaign, with Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick and Frank Onyeka’s strike sealing an emphatic result. But Ajayi’s suspension has once again thrown the team’s defensive setup into question.
Head coach Eric Chelle is now expected to rely on captain William Troost-Ekong, who remained on the bench during the Benin game, to take command of the backline against a dangerous Gabon side.
Aubameyang Cleared to Play
In a twist of fate, FIFA has also cleared Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to feature for Gabon. The former Barcelona striker had served a one-match suspension after being sent off for a second yellow card against Gambia.
Having already missed Gabon’s final group game versus Burundi, the prolific forward will now be eligible to face Nigeria.
Aubameyang’s return is a boost for the Panthers, especially after his stunning four-goal performance against Gambia, a game that ended in a dramatic 4–3 win before his dismissal.
Nigeria still confident
Despite Ajayi’s absence, optimism remains high in the Nigerian camp. Former Super Eagles star Benedict Iroha recently expressed confidence that Nigeria will make it to the World Cup, citing their improved form and squad depth.
With the team regaining momentum and morale high after the Benin victory, the Super Eagles are determined to take full control of the playoff tie and move one step closer to securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.