Nigeria booked their place in the final of the African play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 4-1 victory over Gabon on Thursday evening at the Stade Prince Moulay Hassan in Rabat.
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen bagged a brace while two Sevilla players Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke netted the other two goals for the West African side, keeping the Super Eagles’ World Cup hopes alive. Meanwhile, Mario Lemina scored the only goal for Gabon.
Eric Chelle’s team started strongly, as anticipated, applying pressure and forcing Gabon’s keeper Loyce Mbaba into several early saves.
Osimhen was lively up front, troubling the defenders but missing a couple of opportunities to open the scoring.
Gabon, on the other hand, responded with some dangerous counter-attacks, yet the first half ended goalless.
In the early stages of the second half, Gabon thought they had earned a penalty as their defender Aaron Appindangoye was brought down in the area, but a VAR check ruled otherwise.
In the 78th minute, the Super Eagles finally broke the deadlock as Adams capitalised on a poor back pass from Appindangoye and calmly slotted the ball home.
However, Lemina equalised for The Panthers in the 89th minute to take the match to the extra-time. Within the extra 30 minutes, Osimhen scored a brace with Ejuke also rattling the back of the net for Nigeria to grab the victory.
Nigeria will take on the winners of the Cameroon–DR Congo clash on Sunday, as they fight to keep their hopes of qualifying for next year’s World Cup alive.
The winners of Africa’s play-offs will then advance to a six-team intercontinental tournament, scheduled for 23–31 March 2026, which will determine the final two qualifiers for next year’s World Cup.
