Nigeria v Gabon: What Fulham trio Iwobi, Bassey and Chukwueze said ahead of WCQ playoff

Fulham trio Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze have expressed confidence in the Super Eagles' ability to overcome Gabon in Thursday's crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff semifinal encounter in Morocco.

Nigeria will face the Panthers in a decisive tie that could see them move one step closer to sealing qualification for the global showpiece set to take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Iwobi urged Nigerians to stay optimistic, stressing that the team is determined to deliver a positive result.

"Hopefully we win and get the result we want because the World Cup is the biggest competition and it would be a shame if Nigeria don't go and it's only right that we give our best and try and show Nigerians we are there," he told Sporty TV.

Defender Calvin Bassey echoed his teammate's sentiments, acknowledging the team's slow start to the qualifiers but insisting that confidence has now been restored within the squad.

"I think we started very slow but we are now, hope has been restored, we just have to make sure that we keep going and just take the game as it comes, we are Nigeria, we are a massive nation, and we know there is a lot of expectation and responsibility," Bassey said.

"As players we just need to focus on what we need to do, go out in Morocco and make sure we can get both wins."

Meanwhile, Samuel Chukwueze made an emotional appeal to fans to rally behind the team as they push for qualification.

"This is the moment we need the Nigeria fans, this is the moment to criticize or blame anyone. 

"This is the time we have to be together because everyone want to be in the World Cup because Nigerians need to be in the World Cup but we are going to give our best, we promise them that we are going to give everything inside that pitch," he said

A win for the Super Eagles will secure their place in the playoff final, where they are likely to face the winners of the DR Congo vs. Cameroon clash.

Adeyemi Adewale

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