Nigeria have received a major boost ahead of Sunday’s World Cup qualifying play-off final against DR Congo, as midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has been cleared to play despite earlier fears of suspension.

The Besiktas star was initially thought to be ruled out of the decisive match after receiving what was believed to be his second yellow card of the qualifying campaign during Thursday’s 4–1 victory over Gabon in the semi-final. His first caution had come in 2024 against Benin, a match the Super Eagles won 3–0.

Under previously understood rules, two yellow cards accumulated during the qualification process would trigger a suspension for the subsequent game.

 Head coach Eric Chelle had resigned himself to losing the influential midfielder after the caution against Gabon.

However, the Nigeria Football Federation announced on Saturday that Ndidi remains eligible to play. CAF has clarified that yellow cards received during the standard qualifying rounds do not carry over into the play-off stage.

This interpretation leaves Ndidi with only one booking—picked up in the play-off semi-final—meaning he is fully available for the final in Rabat.

Nigeria advanced to Sunday’s showdown after defeating Gabon, while DR Congo clinched their spot with a late win over Cameroon.

The winner in Rabat will qualify for the inter-confederation play-offs scheduled for March next year in Mexico, where Africa’s final representative for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be decided.

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By Kunle Solaja.

Nigeria may line up with a new captain on Sunday when the Super Eagles take on DR Congo in the decisive FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off in Rabat, with reports from the UK suggesting that Victor Osimhen is under consideration to wear the armband.

Stand-in skipper Wilfred Ndidi is suspended for the clash after picking up an early yellow card in Thursday’s 4–1 victory over Gabon, while substantive captain William Troost-Ekong is not guaranteed to start.

British newspaper The Standard reports that the uncertainty surrounding Ekong’s return — following Benjamin Fredrick’s commanding performance in central defence — has opened the door for Osimhen to step forward as team leader.

Coach Eric Chelle is now weighing his options, with Osimhen, Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon all mentioned as possible choices to lead Nigeria out for the crucial fixture.

Troost-Ekong himself endorsed Osimhen’s leadership qualities during an appearance on Victor Mondo’s YouTube channel, describing the former Napoli striker as one of the emerging leaders in the squad.

“We have players who are really coming of age and showing what they can do,” the former Super Eagles captain said, noting Osimhen’s growing influence on and off the pitch.

Osimhen has long been viewed as a driving force within the team — vocal, energetic, and a natural motivator whose presence often lifts the squad.

With Nigeria’s World Cup hopes hanging in the balance, his elevation to captain could further inspire the team in Rabat.

Beyond the captaincy puzzle, Chelle must also address a major gap in midfield created by Ndidi’s suspension.

The former Leicester City star has been central to Nigeria’s structure throughout the qualifying series, and his absence will require significant tactical adjustments.

The Super Eagles face DR Congo on Sunday night with a ticket to the FIFA Inter-Continental Play-Off on the line — and possibly with Victor Osimhen leading them into battle.

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By Kunle Solaja.

As Nigeria prepare for Sunday night’s high-stakes FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off final against DR Congo in Rabat, one name stands out in the Congolese lineup — Chancel Mbemba. For the Super Eagles, stopping the 30-year-old defence marshal could prove just as important as breaking down the Congolese attack.

He was in the DR Congo team that beat the Super Eagles in a friendly match played at the Stade de la Cité de l’Oie, Visé in Belgium in 2015.

Mbemba, the inspirational captain of the Leopards, reached a historic milestone last Thursday when he earned his 100th international cap in DR Congo’s semi-final victory over Cameroon. And he marked the occasion in heroic fashion.

With the match heading for extra time, the former Olympique Marseille defender stepped up in the final seconds of added time, smashing home the only goal of the game and sending DR Congo into Sunday’s final.

Even more remarkably, he delivered that decisive moment after playing the entire second half under the shadow of a possible expulsion, having been booked before halftime.

His performance embodied the grit and resilience that have defined this Congolese generation — qualities Nigeria must be wary of.

“I am experiencing this moment thanks to the work, rigour and discipline that I strive to apply every day. Nothing has been easy, but each step has made me stronger,” Mbemba wrote on his social media handle, as reported by DR Congo daily Actualité.

For Nigerian fans, Mbemba’s influence is not unfamiliar. He has faced Nigeria several times across youth and senior categories, always displaying calm leadership and a knack for rising in big moments.

Coming through the ranks at FC MK in Kinshasa, Mbemba represents a rarity in Congolese football — a player developed entirely on home soil who rose to elite European status.

Today, he is widely regarded as one of Africa’s finest defenders, with his remarkable discipline and consistency placing him among the continent’s most respected captains.

As the Super Eagles aim to extend their World Cup dream, they will have to deal not only with DR Congo’s attacking threats but with the commanding presence of their centurion skipper.

Mbemba is the heartbeat of the Leopards — organiser in defence, motivator in the dressing room, and, as Cameroon discovered, a match-winner when it matters most.

On Sunday, Nigeria will need focus, precision, and vigilance. And at the centre of that vigilance will be Chancel Mbemba.

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