Nigeria: Wilfred Ndidi faces World Cup play-off final ban amid Victor Osimhen suspension risk

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Evening Standard

·13 November 2025

Nigeria: Wilfred Ndidi faces World Cup play-off final ban amid Victor Osimhen suspension risk

Osimhen and seven other Nigeria players are a booking away from missing a potential inter-confederation play-off clash

Nigeria will be without Wilfred Ndidi for their World Cup play-off final against DR Congo this weekend.

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The Super Eagles recorded a third straight win in World Cup qualification as they beat Gabon after extra-time on Thursday in the second round semi-final play-off.

Eric Chelle’s side were on course to win the tie in regulation time after Akor Adams pounced on a defensive error to break the deadlock as late as the 78th minute.

However, Gabon restored parity in the 89th minute when Mario Lemina - formerly of Southampton, Fulham and Wolves - saw his deflected effort find its way into the back of the net.

Though from there, class eventually told. Chidera Ejuke struck early in the first period of extra-time before Victor Osimhen made amends for missing a guilt-edged chances to win the game in stoppage time by helping himself to a brace

Victory means Nigeria will stay in Rabat, Morocco, to contest the play-off final against DR Congo on Sunday as their World Cup dream remains alive.

The one negative from a Super Eagles perspective ahead of the aforementioned play-off final was the yellow card shown to Ndidi as early as the sixth minute as he was adjudged to have fouled Gabon forward Denis Bouanga.

With that being the former Leicester midfielder’s second booking in World Cup qualification, he must serve a one-match suspension.

Therefore, Ndidi will be unavailable for selection when Nigeria face DR Congo at the weekend.

Chelle can turn to Raphael Onyedika as a replacement for Ndidi - who captained the side against Gabon - but Frank Onyeka is the most likely candidate to step in.

While that may be the case, the Brentford midfielder will also have to watch his step after picking up a late booking.

As yellow cards are not wiped until before the World Cup tournament, any player who receives two yellow cards in two different qualifying matches will be automatically suspended for the next match.

Onyeka is now on one yellow card, as are back-up goalkeeper Amas Obasogie and Osimhen after he was punished for removing his shirt during his first goal celebration.

Meanwhile, Stanley Nwabali, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Tolu Arokodare and Bruno Onyemaechi are all carrying yellow cards from the first round group phase.

If any of the eight players mentioned are booked in Sunday’s final, they would then miss the first match of the inter-confederation play-off in March 2026 if Nigeria get there.