The Super Eagles will head into Sunday’s World Cup Qualifying Play-Off final against DR Congo without their deputy captain, Wilfred Ndidi, after the midfielder picked up a costly second yellow card in the campaign.
Ndidi’s booking—earned in just the sixth minute for a challenge on Gabon forward Denis Bouanga—became the only blemish in an otherwise dominant Nigerian display as they defeated the Panthers 4–1 after extra time in Thursday’s semi-final in Rabat.
The midfielder’s accumulation of two yellow cards automatically rules him out of the crucial final on 16 November, dealing a blow to Eric Chelle’s squad as they push for a World Cup 2026 berth.
With Ndidi unavailable for the showdown against DR Congo, Frank Onyeka emerges as the frontrunner to take his place in midfield. Raphael Onyedika is also an option, though both players must watch their discipline—Onyeka picked up a late booking on Thursday and could be at risk later in the campaign.
Osimhen, alongside Onyeka and goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, is also carrying a yellow card.
Bruno Onyemaechi, Tolu Arokodare, Stanley Nwabali, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey still hold cautions from the first qualifying phase.
Under current rules, any player receiving two yellow cards in separate qualifiers is suspended for the next match. Cards are only reset prior to the World Cup tournament itself—meaning if any of the already-booked eight players are cautioned on Sunday, they will miss Nigeria’s opening game of the inter-confederation playoffs in March 2026, should the team advance.
Nigeria remain in Rabat as preparations continue for the decisive clash with DR Congo, with a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup still firmly within reach.
