Victor Osimhen delivered a performance worthy of his star status, scoring twice in extra time to lead Nigeria to a commanding 4-1 victory over Gabon in the CAF World Cup playoff semifinals in Rabat, Morocco, on Thursday evening.
The result sends the Super Eagles into the playoff final, where they will face the winner between Congo DR and Cameroon for a coveted place in the six-team inter-confederation playoff in March the final hurdle on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
After a tight, end-to-end opening half, the breakthrough finally came in the 78th minute when Akor Adams capitalized on a defensive lapse. The Montpellier forward intercepted a misplaced back pass, rounded the Gabonese goalkeeper, and calmly slotted home to put Nigeria 1-0 ahead.
However, Gabon refused to fade. With just minutes remaining in regulation time, Mario Lemina’s right-footed effort from the left side of the area took a wicked deflection off a Nigerian defender, wrong-footing goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to make it 1-1 and send the game into extra time.
Nigeria’s determination shone through in the added period. Chidera Ejuke, introduced in the second half, restored the lead in the 97th minute, finishing confidently after fine link-up play with Wilfred Ndidi. The momentum was firmly with Nigeria, and moments later, Osimhen took center stage.
The Galatasaray striker, who had missed two clear chances in stoppage time, made amends with a composed finish in the 102nd minute, latching onto Benjamin Fredrick’s assist to make it 3-1. His celebration earned him a yellow card, but that did little to slow his hunger for goals.
Eight minutes later, Osimhen struck again this time meeting Chidozie Awaziem’s pass before rifling home his second goal to seal a 4-1 triumph and secure Nigeria’s place in the playoff final. The crowd in Rabat erupted as the Super Eagles completed a stunning extra-time surge.
The victory was even more impressive given the team’s off-field challenges. Just a day earlier, preparations had been overshadowed by a standoff between the players and the Nigerian Football Federation over unpaid bonuses. The dispute was resolved late on Wednesday, with captain William Troost-Ekong reassuring fans via social media: “We are together and, as before, focused on the games ahead!”
For Nigeria, the result represents redemption after missing out on the 2022 World Cup following a dramatic playoff defeat to Ghana. The Super Eagles are now one step away from keeping their World Cup dream alive.
As for Gabon, their wait for a maiden World Cup appearance continues. Despite a spirited performance led by captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Lemina, they were ultimately undone by Nigeria’s depth, intensity, and the brilliance of Victor Osimhen.
The Super Eagles now turn their attention to the decisive playoff final, with momentum and confidence firmly on their side and with Osimhen firing on all cylinders, Nigeria’s return to football’s biggest stage looks within reach.
