Nigeria booked their place in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF playoff series after a dramatic 4–1 extra-time victory over Gabon in Rabat, a match that swung wildly before the Super Eagles’ quality finally prevailed.
The game exploded into life in the 78th minute when Akor Adams broke the deadlock, racing through on goal before finishing coolly to put Nigeria 1–0 up. But just as the Eagles thought they had control, Gabon struck back in stoppage time.
Mario Lemina’s deflected effort levelled the score at 1–1 in the 90+5th minute, forcing extra time.
Nigeria nearly snatched a winner before full-time, with Osimhen twice going close, but neither side could find the decisive goal as the referee signaled 12 minutes of added time.In the 97th minute, Chidera Ejuke restored Nigeria’s lead with a superbly taken finish into the right corner after a clever team move.
Five minutes later, Osimhen received a defence-splitting pass inside the box and buried a crisp strike into the bottom left corner to make it 3–1.
With Gabon tiring and Nigeria dominating, Osimhen wasn’t done.
The Napoli striker struck again in the 110th minute, racing into acres of space before firing home another clinical finish, sealing a famous brace and completing the 4–1 rout.
The Super Eagles then saw out the remaining minutes comfortably as Gabon, despite their spirited equaliser, ran out of steam.
Nigeria will now face the winner of Cameroon vs Congo DR in Sunday’s playoff final, with a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the line.
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