The African nation will now should qualify by way of a play-off.
Alex Iwobi says Nigeria’s World Cup dream has been “resurrected from the lifeless” after a turbulent qualifying marketing campaign that just about led to catastrophe.
The Tremendous Eagles seemed on track for a shock early exit after taking simply three factors from their first 4 video games, drawing at dwelling to each Lesotho and Zimbabwe whereas biking by means of three completely different coaches.
Accidents to star striker Victor Osimhen solely deepened the disaster. However a late surge, together with a 4-0 win over Benin, secured Nigeria’s place within the African play-offs on purpose distinction.
Now, Iwobi and his team-mates face a brand new problem: stopping his former Arsenal team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when Nigeria meet Gabon in Thursday’s play-off semi-final in Morocco.
Chatting with BBC Sport, the Fulham star opened up on the problem he now faces together with his nation.
He mentioned: “He’s getting on, however you wouldn’t assume that. He’s a youthful man. I don’t understand how we’re going to lock him up.”
Aubameyang, now 36, has been in deadly type, scoring seven objectives in qualifying, together with 4 in a single sport towards The Gambia – as Gabon completed only a level behind Ivory Coast.
The Marseille striker will probably be pushed by the prospect to steer his nation to their first-ever World Cup.
Iwobi spoke warmly of his time with Aubameyang at Arsenal, describing the veteran ahead as each a mentor and a buddy. “I used to be his little brother. He took care of me, had banter, made positive I felt snug,” Iwobi recalled.
“On the pitch, he all the time informed me to specific myself and be assured. He’s a very comfortable man, all the time smiling, all the time constructive.”
Nigeria’s path to the 2026 World Cup stays a tough one. After ending behind South Africa of their qualifying group, they need to first overcome Gabon after which face the winner of Cameroon vs DR Congo to achieve an intercontinental play-off in March.
That closing hurdle would see them face an opponent from Asia, Oceania, South America, or the CONCACAF area for a spot on the expanded 48-team event in North America.
Having missed out on Qatar 2022, Iwobi is set to make amends. “The arrogance is excessive. I’ve been to at least one World Cup earlier than – I’d like to be there once more. It gained’t be straightforward, however we imagine we will make it. And I do know Aubameyang will probably be simply as determined to get there too.”
