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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is eligible to feature against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Sunday’s African playoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The clarification puts to rest concerns among Nigerian fans following reports that Ndidi would miss the crucial encounter due to yellow-card accumulation.

A statement posted on the Super Eagles’ official X handle on Saturday said that CAF confirmed that yellow cards accumulated during the World Cup qualifiers do not carry over into the playoffs. It noted that only confirmed suspensions apply.

READ ALSO: Osimhen Seeks More Goals As Nigeria Eye World Cup Qualification

“CAF has confirmed that Wilfred Ndidi is eligible to feature for the Super Eagles in Sunday’s playoff clash against DR Congo.

“Cautions accumulated during the World Cup qualifiers do not carry over into the playoffs; only confirmed suspensions apply,” the statement read.

TEAM NEWS UPDATE

CAF has confirmed that Wilfred Ndidi is eligible to feature for the Super Eagles in Sunday’s playoff clash against DR Congo.

Cautions accumulated during the World Cup qualifiers do not carry over into the playoffs; only confirmed suspensions apply. pic.twitter.com/hJNYMxdr64

Ndidi was one of Nigeria’s standout performers in Thursday’s 4–1 semi-final win over Gabon, delivering a commanding display in midfield.

Wearing the captain’s armband, he capped an energetic outing by providing the assist for Chidera Ejuke to score Nigeria’s second goal.

The Super Eagles will now lock horns with DR Congo on Sunday at 8 p.m. Nigerian time in a decisive showdown.

Golden State star Stephen Curry scored 49 points, including the game-winning free-throws in the waning seconds, as the Warriors beat the San Antonio Spurs 109-108 in NBA Cup action on Friday.

For the second time in three days Curry propelled the Warriors to a victory over Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs, following up a 46-point performance on Wednesday with another masterpiece.

Curry connected on 16 of 26 shots from the field, drilling nine three-pointers and finishing a perfect eight for eight at the free throw line as the Warriors came out on top in a tense battle in Texas that included 13 lead changes.

READ ALSO: World Cup: Five Things We Learned From Super Eagles Vs Gabon Match

French star Wembanyama scored 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and De’Aaron Fox added 24 points and 10 assists for the Spurs, who led 79-77 going into the fourth quarter only to be undone by 14 points from Curry in the final frame.

Wembanyama scored 10 in the fourth, his tip-in layup putting San Antonio up 108-105 with 1:05 remaining.

Golden State’s Jimmy Butler drove for a layup to cut the deficit to one and after Wembanyama blocked a Butler shot Fox fouled Curry, who calmly stepped up and made the deciding free throws.

Curry said the two “gritty, gutsy, professional wins” in San Antonio could set a tone for a Warriors team trying to find their identity.

“That was fun,” he said. “They’ve got a great team. To come in here and win back-to-back games is huge.

“We all did it together,” Curry said. “I know the points look great, but we all did it together to win. That’s what we’re trying to build on.”

Friday marked the third night of group play in the league’s in-season tournament, in its third edition this year.

Teams were drawn into six groups for round-robin matches that also count in the regular-season standings. Eight teams advance to the Cup quarter-finals, with the semi-finals and final in Las Vegas in December.

In New Orleans, the Los Angeles Lakers improved to 2-0 in Cup play as they bounced back from a blowout loss at Oklahoma City with a 118-104 victory over the Pelicans.

Austin Reaves scored 31 points, Luka Doncic added 24 points, seven rebounds and 12 assists and Deandre Ayton chipped in 20 points on impressive 10 of 11 shooting for Los Angeles, who are still awaiting the season debut of superstar LeBron James.

“After the dud we threw out in Oklahoma City, you need to bounce back with a win,” Reaves said. “I thought we played pretty good for the most part tonight. We’ve obviously got to clean some things up, but pretty good.”

Veteran James Harden produced a 41-point triple-double to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 133-127 double-overtime triumph over the Mavericks in Dallas.

Harden, 36, played a career-high 51 minutes and scored 10 points over the two overtime periods as the Clippers held on to halt a six-game skid.

Pistons win ninth straight

The injury-depleted Detroit Pistons powered to their ninth straight victory, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 114-105.

The Pistons extended their streak despite missing key contributors Cade Cunningham, Tobias Harris, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren.

Javonte Green led Detroit with 21 points and nine rebounds. Daniss Jenkins added 19 points as six Pistons players scored in double figures.

In New York, Karl-Anthony Towns scored 39 points and Landry Shamet added a career-high 36 points off the bench as the short-handed Knicks beat the Miami Heat 140-132.

The Knicks were already without star Jalen Brunson and they lost forward OG Anunoby in the first quarter to a hamstring strain.

But Jordan Clarkson added 24 points off the bench and fellow reserve Josh Hart posted a triple-double of 12 points 12 rebounds and 10 assists as the Knicks withstood a 38-point performance from Miami’s Norman Powell.

Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from a one-game injury absence to deliver 25 points, seven rebounds and 18 assists as the Bucks out-lasted the Charlotte Hornets 147-134 in overtime.

Prolific Nigerian scorer Victor Osimhen could be the key figure when they tackle the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday in a fight for 2026 World Cup qualifying survival in Rabat.

The winners of the African play-offs final advance to a six-nation intercontinental tournament in Mexico during March that involves each football region except Europe.

But the losers will bow out of the contest to be among the record 48 nations that take part in the global showpiece hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Nigeria and DR Congo were among four countries given a second chance to qualify after being the best runners-up from nine African groups.

In the semi-finals on Thursday, Galatasaray striker Osimhen scored twice in extra time as Nigeria beat Gabon 4-1, while Chancel Mbemba snatched a late 1-0 win for DR Congo over Cameroon.

Osimhen, the 2023 African Player of the Year, scored a hat-trick last month in a 4-0 triumph over Benin that enabled Nigeria to squeeze into the play-offs.

The 26-year-old, who continues to wear a protective mask after suffering serious facial injuries four years ago, posed a constant threat against Gabon and could have notched six goals.

On several occasions, he came agonisingly close to scoring before, in the last of 12 minutes added time, he fired wide with only goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba to beat.

“I was gutted after failing to score from that opportunity. It was a bad miss,” Osimhen admitted to reporters.

“Sometimes I score amazing goals no one expects, and on other occasions, I miss when people expect me to score.

“I apologised to my teammates after that miss and promised to find the net in extra time, which I did twice.”

Nigeria have qualified for the World Cup six times in eight attempts since first achieving the feat in 1994.

– ‘Passion’ –

The Super Eagles have never missed back-to-back World Cups since their debut and are desperate to atone for a play-off loss to Ghana that deprived them of qualification for Qatar three years ago.

Nigeria are 19 places above DR Congo in the world rankings and favourites to win the clash of the Super Eagles and the Leopards, but Ivory Coast-born coach Eric Chelle is cautious.

“The victory over Gabon means nothing. We now face formidable opponents in DR Congo and, assuming we win, there will be time to celebrate.

“We are trying to create an identity. My players understand what I want and are improving mentally and technically with each international window.

“The key to success over Gabon was passion. It was about working together. We have to rediscover that passion against the Congolese,” added the 48-year-old former Mali coach.

While Nigeria have been regular participants at the four-yearly World Cup, the sole appearance by the Congolese came in 1974 when the mineral-rich central African country was called Zaire.

French coach Sebastien Desabre has transformed the always talented but often erratic Congolese into a combative outfit captained by outstanding centre-back Mbemba from Ligue 1 club Lille.

“We have experienced players. What we are putting in place has not happened overnight. We are going to give our all against Nigeria,” promised Desabre.

READ ALSO: World Cup: Five Things We Learned From Super Eagles Vs Gabon Match

Nigeria have been involved in 16 World Cup qualifying campaigns and DR Congo 12, but the showdown at the 22,000-seat Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium will be the first meeting between them.

Bolivia and New Caledonia have secured intercontinental tournament places, Iraq or UAE will represent Asia, and Jamaica and Panama are the frontrunners to be the two Central American/Caribbean qualifiers.

The Super Eagles produced a commanding performance to defeat Gabon 4–1 after extra time in their World Cup qualifying playoff, a result that keeps Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup dream alive.

It was a night of mild drama and optimism, and long after the final whistle, certain talking points continued to linger.

As Nigeria prepares for a tough test against DR Congo come Sunday, here are five things we learned on Thursday.

READ ALSO: Osimhen Dedicates Gabon Win To Fans, Says Super Eagles Committed To W’Cup Dream

Osimhen Remains Nigeria’s Ultimate Difference Maker

Even on a night when he struggled for long spells, Victor Osimhen once again delivered when it mattered most.

The Galatasaray forward scored twice in extra time, showing elite movement, sharpness, and determination, qualities that make him arguably Africa’s most feared striker.

Once he found his rhythm, Gabon’s defence simply couldn’t contain him.

His performance was a clear reminder that Nigeria’s World Cup hopes still rest heavily on Osimhen’s ability to rise above pressure.

Nwabali’s Frailty In Goal Continues

One of the biggest concerns for the Super Eagles has to be Stanley Nwabali’s response when the game becomes chaotic.

The Nigerian shot stopper showed moments of nervousness, late reactions, hesitation coming off his line, and difficulty organising his defence during fast transitions.

Several times during the match, the 29-year-old was guilty of inviting pressure instead of relieving it.

Against quick, high-pressing teams, these errors in buildup have already led to avoidable turnovers and nervy moments.

It’s noteworthy to state this clearly: Nwabali has been a blessing for Nigeria, especially after years of instability in the goalkeeping department.

However, the frailty being exposed now must be addressed by Eric Chelle and his coaching staff.

Ejuke: ‘Rare Gem’ For Super Eagles

Samuel Chukwueze has been the preferred choice for Chelle on the right-hand side of the attack, and this has helped boost the Fulham forward’s confidence and rightly so.

While the headlines may gravitate toward Osimhen’s brace, it was Chidera Ejuke’s introduction that truly shifted Nigeria’s momentum and exposed Gabon’s growing fatigue.

The CSKA Moscow forward came off the bench to inject life, pace, and unpredictability into the Super Eagles’ attack.

His first touches were purposeful, his dribbles direct, and his off-ball movement forced Gabon’s defenders to adjust their shape, and his efforts were duly rewarded when he showed composure and clinical finishing to give Nigeria the much-needed second goal.

With his performance, Ejuke has made a compelling argument for a more prominent role in the Super Eagles lineup.

Poor Decision Making Continue To Haunt Nigeria

Despite the emphatic scoreline, not everything was perfect.

Gabon’s goal, surely a deflection, came from poor defensive communication, a recurring problem for Nigeria in recent years.

One loose moment allowed the Panthers to punish the Super Eagles.

Nigeria’s centre-back pairing still lacks full chemistry, and second balls as far as in the midfield remain a vulnerability; against stronger opposition, such mistakes could be fatal.

One of the biggest frustrations with Nigeria’s midfield was the limited creativity in regular time.

They often circulated the ball without finding line-breaking passes or unlocking Gabon’s tighter defensive blocks.

Chelle Appears To Be Doing Something Right

Eric Chelle may not be the high-profile name many fans of the game think Nigeria deserve, and possibly the most mild-mannered among Africa’s high-profile managers, but one thing is clear, and that is his tactical identity.

He is insistent on organisation, compactness, and intelligent use of transitions.

The match against Gabon showed this, as he set up his team with structure and discipline while trusting his players to execute a well-rehearsed plan.

Chelle’s initial approach was conservative but calculated, opting for a midfield that prioritised compact spacing and reduced counterattacking vulnerability.

The 48-year-old’s strength is his calmness on the touchline. Even when Gabon took advantage of midfield gaps and began growing into the match, Chelle did not rush tactical changes.

Major League Soccer will change its competition schedule in 2027 to align with the world’s top football leagues, in a decision commissioner Don Garber on Thursday called one of the most important in the history of the 30-year-old league.

The North American league currently runs from late February through early December, including the regular season and the MLS Cup playoffs.

The change will see the season kick off in mid-July and run through May, with a winter break from mid-December to February.

“Today our owners made a decision that I think is one of the most important decisions in our league’s history,” Garber said during a virtual press conference after the MLS board of governors approved the change at its meeting in Palm Beach, Florida.

Garber said the shift will strengthen MLS clubs’ global competitiveness and create better opportunities in the transfer market.

READ ALSO: Osimhen Scores Brace As Nigeria Thrash Gabon 4-1 To Qualify For W’Cup Play-Off Final

“It marks the start of a new era for our league and for soccer in North America,” Garber said.

Before the first full season under the new schedule in 2027-2028, MLS will organize a shortened transition season from February to May 2027, with a regular season of 14 matches followed by playoffs.

Garber said that after two years of discussion and review, when it came time for a vote, there was “overwhelming support” for the shift, despite concerns such as weather difficulties for northernmost clubs, including those in Canada.

“Frankly, I think there was more support for it than I expected,” Garber said.

Toronto FC issued a statement of their own noting “challenges related to the weather for a number of the league’s most northern-based teams” but concluding that “the benefits to the future league product outweighed the potential challenges.”

Although the start and end dates will change, 90 percent of MLS matches will still be played within the “footprint” of the current schedule.

But the new calendar will synch better not only with the worldwide transfer windows but also with FIFA’s international windows.

This month, the league has paused the MLS Cup playoffs between the first and second rounds as players are released for international duty.

Changes are also in the offing for the league’s competition format. No details were disclosed but it has been reported that MLS will switch from its current Eastern and Western conference regular-season system to a single-table format.

Apple TV streaming 

MLS and Apple TV also announced on Thursday that beginning in 2026, league matches will be available to subscribers of the streaming service without the additional purchase of the MLS Season Pass package.

The move comes after the league announced that this year’s MLS Cup playoffs would be available to all Apple TV subscribers.

Apple TV acquired the exclusive global broadcasting rights for the MLS in 2022 through a decade-long agreement valued at approximately $2.5 billion.

The platform began streaming the league in 2023, the year it gained global attention with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami.

MLS and Apple are eyeing a growth in interest in football as the United States co-hosts the World Cup with Mexico and Canada next year.

In addition to the MLS regular season and playoffs, Apple TV will also offer the Leagues Cup, the annual joint tournament between MLS and Mexican league clubs, as well as the All-Star Game and other special events.

Goalscorer Ritsu Doan said Japan had “a different kind of pressure” in Friday’s 2-0 friendly win over Ghana after the high of beating Brazil for the first time last month.

Takumi Minamino and Doan scored either side of half-time as Japan beat fellow World Cup qualifiers Ghana in Toyota with just over half a year to go before next year’s tournament.

It was Japan’s first game since their 3-2 friendly win over Brazil in Tokyo last month, the first time they had beaten the five-time world champions in 14 attempts.

Eintracht Frankfurt forward Doan said the result was still on their minds against Ghana.

“There was a different kind of pressure tonight coming after the Brazil game,” said the 27-year-old.

“We wanted to try to avoid the ups and downs that come in football and I’m glad that we were able to deliver the win.”

It was Ghana’s first game since booking their place at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico with a 1-0 win over Comoros last month.

Their midfielder Abu Francis left the game on a stretcher early in the second half with what looked like a serious ankle injury.

Ghana defended deep despite fielding Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo and Coventry’s Brandon Thomas-Asante, who has scored 10 goals in the English Championship this season.

“Today was good practice for the World Cup in how to break down a high-quality, well-organised team that hunkers down in defence,” said Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu.

“We were able to prise them open.”

READ ALSO: Osimhen Scores Brace As Nigeria Thrash Gabon 4-1 To Qualify For W’Cup Play-Off Final

Japan were still missing injured Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma, and Liverpool’s Wataru Endo had to be content with a place on the bench on his return to the squad after missing the Brazil game.

Goalkeeper Tomoki Hayakawa took over from Zion Suzuki, who fractured a wrist and finger playing for Parma.

Japan opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Kaishu Sano found Minamino unmarked in the box and the Monaco attacker took a touch before sliding the ball into the net.

Doan doubled Japan’s lead just before the hour mark when he got the ball wide in the box and cut inside before drilling home a left-foot finish.

Moriyasu was happy to keep a clean sheet after drawing 2-2 in a friendly with Paraguay last month and conceding two goals against Brazil.

“I didn’t want to say too much to the players and make them think too much about it,” he said.

“They were determined not to concede and then they would try to force them open and score.”

Japan continue their World Cup preparations with a friendly against Bolivia in Tokyo on Tuesday, while Ghana play South Korea in Seoul.