Nigeria starting XI: Ndidi captain; Nwabali, Bassey, Iwobi, Chukwueze start; Simon, Arokodare bench

Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report that Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has confirmed his starting lineup for Thursday evening's 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying playoff with Gabon at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

Stanley Nwabali retains his place in goal, earning his 26th start for Nigeria.

The Chippa United shot-stopper once again gets the nod ahead of Maduka Okoye, with the Udinese goalkeeper, the last player to arrive in camp, named among the substitutes.

With Ola Aina ruled out through a long-term injury, Bright Osayi-Samuel steps in at right-back.

He is joined in defence by Benjamin Fredrick, Calvin Bassey and Zaidu Sanusi, forming a back four that will look to keep the Gabonese attack at bay.

Chelle has seemingly opted for his preferred 4-4-2 formation, with stand-in captain Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi anchoring the midfield.

Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman provide width on the flanks, offering pace and creativity from the wide areas.

Leading the line for the Super Eagles are Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen and Sevilla's Akor Adams. 

Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare and Paris FC's Moses Simon are among the players named on the substitutes bench.

Super Eagles starting lineup against Gabon: Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Fredrick, Bassey, Zaidu; Ndidi, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Lookman; Adams, Osimhen

Substitutes: Okoye, Troost-Ekong, Ejuke, Onyeka, Arokodare, Onyemaechi, Alhassan, Moses Simon, Obasogie, Onyedika, Awaziem, Olusegun 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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