Former Venezuela forward Alejandro Moreno believes the presence of Victor Osimhen gives Nigeria an edge over Gabon in their World Cup playoff clash on Thursday, SportPremi reports.
The Super Eagles battle the Panthers in a crucial CAF World Cup qualifying playoff tie for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Both teams alongside Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo qualified as the best-ranked second-placed teams after the conclusion of the group phase.
Nigeria finished second behind South Africa in Group C, while Gabon finished as runners-up behind Gabon in Group F.
Cameroon, on the other hand, finished behind Cape Verde in Group D and DR Congo, who completes the four-team list, finished second in Group B behind Senegal.
Osimhen, 26, netted a hat-trick in Nigeria’s final group game, a 4-0 win over Benin Republic in October, which sealed their spot as one of the playoff team.
Moreno tips Osimhen to shine against Gabon
Alejandro Moreno, who now works with ESPN as a public analyst, praised the impact of Osimhen in the national team and is confident Nigeria will gain the upper hand in the clash.
“All I know is that when they needed him to score big goals, Nigeria, the last time against Benin, hat-trick. I don’t know where he’s playing or where he’s not playing, he’s a goalscorer”, the ex-Venezuela forward revealed.
And when they needed him to have a big game and he did that. What else can you ask for from the guy, I don’t know.
“I think it is going to be critical for Nigeria that he continues to perform at this level, because this team in chaos they strive but it’s looking like it is going to be stressful to get all the way to the World Cup”, Moreno added.
The former Columbus Crew forward also spoke on Nigeria’s chances of advancing in the tie against a stubborn Gabon side.
“In all honesty, in every important moment, whenever the Super Eagles have some qualification big games or whenever the circumstances are leading up to a big game, there’s always some sort of issues going on with this team, federation or players and the lack of organization and logical issues but apparently this is where they thrive”, he continued.
“In chaos they thrive and it doesn’t get more chaotic than having to have issues with the federation ahead of a huge match. So if in chaos they thrive, if we go with that theory then Nigeria advances somehow.”
When is the playoff tie?
Nigeria and Gabon clash in the first semifinal of the CAF playoff on Thursday evening, while Cameroon face-off against DR Congo later in the day.
The winner of both semifinal ties will advance to the final scheduled to take place on Sunday, to determine Africa’s final representative at the intercontinental playoffs next year.
