We have to cage him — Iwobi warns Super Eagles teammates about ex-Chelsea star

The magnitude of Thursday's 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off semi-final against Gabon is not lost on the Super Eagles, as midfielder Alex Iwobi singled out star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for close attention.

This match is a high-stakes, one-off knockout game, with the winner moving a step closer to the final intercontinental play-off round and the World Cup proper.

For Nigeria, neutralizing the 36-year-old Olympic Marseille forward is paramount to achieving their goal.

Aubameyang has been instrumental for the Panthers, racking up seven goals in nine appearances during the qualifying series.

Iwobi, who knows the Gabon captain well from their days at Arsenal, acknowledged the danger and admitted the task is daunting.

"He’s getting on, but you wouldn’t think that. He’s a youthful guy," Iwobi told BBC Sport.

“I don’t know how we’re going to lock him up.”

The Super Eagles' defense will need to figure that out quickly if they hope to progress and keep their World Cup dreams alive.

Meanwhile, Star striker Victor Osimhen has finally joined the Super Eagles in Morocco, completing the initial assembly of the squad just hours before their make-or-break 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff semi-final against Gabon.

Osimhen’s arrival is a significant boost for the team, whose preparations have been marred by a player protest over unpaid bonuses and captain William Troost-Ekong’s need to debunk "special demands" claims.