Gabon face off against Nigeria in Rabat this Thursday, followed by a match between Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, in a playoff tournament featuring the four best runners-up from the nine completed African qualifying groups.

The nine group winners have automatically qualified for next year’s finals in Canada, Mexico, and the US, but this week’s mini-tournament offers a chance for a 10th African representative.

The two winners on Thursday will face each other in a final on Sunday to decide which African team advances to the intercontinental playoff in March, where the final spots for the 48-team World Cup will be decided.

Born in France Aubameyang claimed the African Footballer of the Year title a decade ago after his scoring feats with Borussia Dortmund and has been Gabon’s key player since his debut in 2009, though he has never managed to lead his country to international triumph despite hosting the Africa Cup of Nations twice.

The 36-year-old’s 80 international caps could have been much more if not for disputes with officials and coaches, leading to multiple temporary retirements from international duty.

Opportunity at career’s end

Now approaching the end of his career, Aubameyang has a chance to guide the small Central African nation to its first World Cup appearance if he maintains his recent form.

He scored all four goals as Gabon defeated the Gambia 4-3 in last month’s qualifier, finishing second in their group, and has contributed goals for Marseille since returning to Ligue 1 after a stint in Saudi Arabia.

On Thursday, Aubameyang will share the field with one of his potential successors, 2023 Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen, who leads Nigeria’s bid for a seventh World Cup finals appearance.

Cameroon, with eight previous World Cup qualifications—the most among African teams—have had their campaign marred by conflicts between government-appointed coach Marc Brys and federation president Samuel Eto’o.

DR Congo’s sole World Cup appearance was more than fifty years ago when it was known as Zaire. They led their group but lost a 3-2 home game to Senegal after surrendering a two-goal lead, finishing second and now must try again in the playoffs.

Nonetheless, the injury absence of Yoane Wissa is a setback to their prospects.