World Cup 2026 [Q]: Mikel Obi cautions Nigeria ahead of Gabon clash

Former Nigeria international, John Mikel Obi, has sounded words of caution to the Super Eagles ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-Offs against Gabon on Thursday.

The Super Eagles managed to weave their way through to the qualifying play-offs after finishing second in Group C on 17 points, one behind South Africa after ten matches.

Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick and Frank Onyeka’s late goal gave Nigeria a 4-0 win over Benin to secure the play-offs spot against Gabon, a fixture which Chelsea legend Mikel Obi warns Eric Chelle’s charges over underestimating their opponent.

“The first game is the most important game. Gabon is the most important game,” Mikel Obi told The Obi Podcast Channel.

“Don’t underestimate Gabon, please don’t, because if we do that, then we are in trouble.”

Mikel Obi Sends Stern Warning to Super Eagles

“Go into that game and play like this is the last game you will ever play in your life, win that game and then we can think about either Cameroon or someone else.”

“The mistake we are going to make is to think it’s just Gabon, then we are done completely,” he warned.

“Go in the game, play as we should, with full confidence, bravery, and passion, knowing you are wearing the green white green, the badge of that green white green is huge.

“300 million people, that’s a lot of pressure, but you have to deal with it. I know they can do it and I believe in them,” he added.

The Super Eagles began their preparation for the decisive clash on Monday afternoon in Rabat, Morocco, where they held their first training session at the Rive Hotel training ground.

A victory against Gabon will see Nigeria advance to the final round of the playoffs, where they could face either DR Congo or Cameroon.