Nigeria’s journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. After a dismal start to their qualifying campaign, which saw the Super Eagles secure just three points from their first four matches, their hopes were reignited by a dramatic injury-time goal in their final group game against Benin. Brentford’s Frank Onyeka’s strike sealed a 4-0 victory, propelling Nigeria into the African play-offs as runners-up in Group C on goal difference. Now, the team faces a new challenge: stopping Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in their play-off semi-final in Morocco. Aubameyang, a former Arsenal teammate of Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi, has been in stellar form, scoring seven goals in World Cup qualifying, including four in a single match against The Gambia. The 36-year-old Gabon captain is determined to lead his nation to their first-ever World Cup appearance. Iwobi, who shared the pitch with Aubameyang during their time at Arsenal, spoke highly of his former teammate, describing him as a ‘great person off the pitch’ and a mentor who encouraged him to express himself on the field. Despite the camaraderie, Iwobi acknowledged the difficulty of containing Aubameyang, stating, ‘I don’t know how we’re going to lock him up.’ Nigeria’s path to the World Cup remains arduous. After missing out on automatic qualification by finishing second in Group C behind South Africa, they must first overcome Gabon and then the winner of the Cameroon vs. DR Congo match to advance to an intercontinental qualifier in March. Should they succeed, Nigeria’s world ranking would likely pit them against a team from Asia, Oceania, South America, or the Concacaf region, with the victors securing a spot in the expanded 48-team tournament. Nigeria’s resurgence under coach Eric Chelle has been pivotal. Appointed in January, Chelle has led the team to an unbeaten run in six competitive games, fostering a positive atmosphere within the squad. Iwobi praised Chelle’s leadership, likening him to a ‘big brother’ who motivates the players to fight for both Nigeria and their coach. Despite the challenges, Iwobi remains optimistic about Nigeria’s chances, emphasizing the team’s determination to prove their worth on the international stage.