Star African strikers, Victor Osimhen of Nigeria and Bryan Mbeumo of Cameroon, are aiming to feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — but only one of them can succeed.
Nigeria face Gabon, while Cameroon meet the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday in Rabat, Morocco, in the semi-finals of the African play-offs for the global showpiece.
The winners will clash on Sunday, also in the Moroccan capital, with a place in the intercontinental play-offs next March at stake.
Whoever represents Africa will be joined by two teams from the Central America/Caribbean region, as well as Bolivia, New Caledonia, and Iraq or the United Arab Emirates, with two World Cup slots up for grabs.
Nigeria are firm favourites, and Cameroon slight favourites, to reach the final and continue the fight to be among the 48 qualifiers for the expanded World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
When a 10-round African qualifying competition ended last month, Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia secured qualification as group winners.
Now, the four best runners-up have a second chance, and Osimhen and Mbeumo could play key roles in determining which country moves closer to giving Africa a 10th representative at the tournament.
Osimhen scored a hat-trick against Benin in a 4–0 final-round win last month, enabling Nigeria to pip Burkina Faso on goal difference for the final runners-up slot.
Switching to the UEFA Champions League, he notched another treble last week for Galatasaray at Ajax Amsterdam and is the leading scorer in the competition with six goals.
“I love Victor. He is the best striker in the world,” said Eric Chelle, the Ivory Coast-born coach of the Super Eagles.
“It will be very difficult in Morocco,” added the tactician, who boasts four wins and two draws in competitive matches since taking charge.
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AFP