Overview
- Two semifinals are set in Rabat: Gabon vs. Nigeria at Stade Moulay Hassan on Thursday at 17:00 and Cameroon vs. DR Congo at Stade El Barid at 20:00.
- The semifinal winners meet on Sunday, 16 November at 20:00 for the continental playoff spot that leads to the intercontinental playoffs rather than direct World Cup qualification.
- Le Parisien, citing Sport News Africa, reports President Félix Tshisekedi has promised DR Congo players a $1 million bonus each if they reach the intercontinental playoff, with the coach excluded and alleged bank instructions prepared; this has not been independently verified.
- Cameroon brings the continent’s most frequent World Cup pedigree and a defense anchored by André Onana, while coach Marc Brys faces scrutiny and reports point to tensions involving federation president Samuel Eto’o.
- Nigeria arrives after a 4–0 win to reach this stage with Victor Osimhen as the focal point; Gabon pursues a breakthrough led by Denis Bouanga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang; DR Congo targets a first World Cup return since 1974, missing Yoane Wissa but boosted by recent dual-national additions.