Overview
- A four-team mini-tournament in Rabat features Nigeria vs Gabon and Cameroon vs DR Congo on Thursday, with the winners meeting Sunday to decide Africa’s entrant to March’s inter-confederation playoff.
- Nigeria players and staff boycotted Tuesday’s training over unpaid bonuses dating to 2019 before captain William Troost-Ekong announced the dispute was “resolved” and the team returned to practice on Wednesday.
- Cameroon ruled out Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa through injury, and goalkeeper Andre Onana is a doubt, according to football federation officials.
- Outlets broadly rate Nigeria as favorites and Cameroon as slight favorites, yet Gabon’s strong qualifying record and DR Congo’s well-drilled setup make both credible threats in single-elimination matches.
- Key figures highlighted include Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo, with Gabon turning to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Bouanga in a neutral, compressed schedule that emphasizes finishing and depth.