A brace from Victor Osimhen in the extra time and a goal from returnee Chidera Ejuke were enough for the Super Eagles to bury Gabon and zoom into the final of the 2026 World Cup play offs in Morocco.
The match had ended 1-1 at full time at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium, after Nigeria shot into the lead in the 78th minute through Jerome Akor and the Gabonese leveled in the 89th minute through Mario Lemina before the game went into extra time.
Nigeria would have won the match on the dot of time, but Osimhen lost a golden opportunity when he was played onside by Wilfred Ndidi, in the last few seconds of added time, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he shot wide dragging the match into extra time.
The 4-1 victory over The Panthers of Gabon ensured the Super Eagles brightened their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, but will have to finish the African play offs on Sunday when they play the final.
Both teams came into the game looking for a early goal, with Victor Osimhen leading the Super Eagles attack, while Gabonese top striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, led the attack in the opposite direction, but none of the sides could break the deadlock with the first half ending goalless.
At the resumption of the second half, it took a review from the video assistant referee for what the Central Africans argued was a penalty kick not to be awarded against Nigeria.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 78th minute when a terrible back pass by a Gabonese defender, Aaron Appindangoye to his goalkeeper was intercepted by on rushing Jerome Adams to open scoring .
The Gabonese reacted quickly immediately after the goal, and came out fighting until they got their equalizer when a shot by Mario Lemina was deflected off Bright Osayi-Samuel into Nigerian’s net to put scores at 1-1.
At the beginning of the extra time, Chidera Ejuke scored the second goal in the 97th minute after a good exchange of passes by the Eagles, while Victor Osimhen added a third in 102nd minute and yet another in the 109th minute to put the game beyond the Gabonese and ensure Nigeria qualified for the finals of the playoffs.
The Super Eagles will now face the DR Congo,who defeated Cameroon in the finals on Sunday.
