2026 World Cup play-offs: Don’t underestimate Gabon – John Obi Mikel cautions Super Eagles players

Former Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has cautioned the playing body of the Super Eagles ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off semi-final against Gabon.

Nigeria take on Gabon today at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Morocco, with the winner advancing to Sunday’s play-off final for a spot at next year’s World Cup.

Ahead of the game, Obi Mikel, who led the side to win the 2013 AFCON, has pleaded with the team not to take the opposition lightly

“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.

“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 winner of the tie will come up against either DR Congo or Cameroon in the final on Sunday.