Nigeria vs Gabon: Osimhen, Aubameyang, and one other star to watch in crucial World Cup playoff showdown

As Nigeria battle Gabon for a spot in the final round of the World Cup playoffs, all eyes will be fixed on two of Africa's most prolific strikers, with a consistent midfield veteran set to hit a major milestone for the Super Eagles.

Thursday’s all-important encounter at the Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat, kicking off at 5:00 pm (W.A.T.), will be the 10th meeting between the Panthers and Super Eagles.

Ahead of that encounter, here are the three (3) players you will need to watch out for as Nigeria and Gabon look to outwit each other.

Forward Osimhen will once again carry the hopes of over 200 million Nigerians. The 26-year-old striker has been the main reason the Super Eagles have this second chance via the playoffs, and he remains the team’s biggest weapon.

• WCQ Form

Osimhen was the driving force in the qualifiers, scoring a remarkable six goals, including a match-winning hat-trick against Benin Republic that sealed Nigeria’s playoff spot.

Club Form: He comes into the match in fine shape for Galatasaray, with nine goals scored in just 12 appearances this season across all competitions.

Osimhen’s unique combination of blistering pace, aerial dominance, and relentless pressure means Gabon's defense will be organised almost entirely around attempting to neutralise (it didn’t end well for the opponents the last time that word was used) him.

Countering Osimhen is the Panthers’ talisman, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. At 36, the former Arsenal skipper is as sharp and deadly as ever, and he represents the primary threat the Super Eagles must contain.

• WCQ Form

Aubameyang single-handedly dragged Gabon through the group stage, netting all four of his country’s goals in the dramatic qualifying matches, highlighting his incredible importance and enduring clinical edge.

Club Form: Aubameyang has continued his revival at Marseille this season, contributing 10 goals and assists in 14 appearances.

His combination of experience, ability to finish from any angle, and clever movement off the shoulder of the last defender makes him a unique and constant danger for the Nigerian backline.

While the strikers grab the headlines, the engine room of the Super Eagles will be anchored by Alex Iwobi, another former man from Arsenal.

The Fulham star is set to win his 90th senior cap for Nigeria on Thursday evening, a testament to his decade-long consistency and reliability.

Iwobi remains an ever-present for Nigeria and is expected to start in the midfield, where he plays a crucial role under Malian boss Eric Chelle.

His ability to dictate the tempo, switch play quickly, and link the midfield to the star-studded attack will be decisive in ensuring Osimhen gets the supply he needs while providing defensive cover against Gabon's midfield disruptors.

If Nigeria is to control the game and avoid the aggressive counter-attacks, Iwobi's performance in midfield will be key.

Historically, Nigeria holds the advantage, winning five of the previous nine matches, but with only one Gabonese victory, a narrow 2-1 result in a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, both teams meeting in another FIFA qualifier is definitely not a good omen for Nigeria.