Osimhen strikes twice as Nigeria overpower Gabon 4–1 to reach world cup play-off final
Nigeria’s quest for a return to the FIFA World Cup gained fresh momentum on Thursday after a dramatic 4–1 extra-time win over Gabon secured the Super Eagles a place in Sunday’s African play-off final against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Victor Osimhen was the night’s standout performer, grabbing two goals in extra time to seal a result that looked far from certain when Gabon snatched a late equaliser.
The match at a packed neutral venue had remained goalless through a tense opening hour, with Nigeria creating and missing several promising chances.
Osimhen, lively throughout the first half, narrowly failed to guide home two headers and later had a handball appeal dismissed after a VAR review.
Nigeria finally broke through in the 78th minute.
Sevilla winger Akor Adams capitalised on a misplaced Gabon pass, drove into the box and rounded goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba before slotting home what seemed the winner.
But the Super Eagles’ lead evaporated in the 89th minute when Mario Lemina’s long-range effort took a deflection that wrong-footed goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, sending the contest into extra time and momentarily silencing Nigerian fans.
Extra time saw Nigeria regain their rhythm. Substitute Chidera Ejuke marked his appearance with a decisive strike in the 97th minute, guiding home his first goal for the national team after a flowing team move.
Osimhen, who had moments earlier missed a clear opportunity to settle the match in regulation time, found redemption in emphatic fashion.
In the 102nd minute, he latched onto a pass from Benjamin Fredrick and drilled a low shot across Mbaba into the far corner.
The Galatasaray striker was far from finished.
He added his second goal of the night eight minutes later, controlling a long ball with composure before once more beating Mbaba with a precise finish into the bottom corner, putting the match beyond Gabon’s reach.
Nigeria will now face DR Congo, who earlier defeated Cameroon 1–0, in Sunday’s decisive African play-off final.
A victory would send the Super Eagles into the intercontinental play-offs scheduled for March, where six nations will battle for two remaining slots at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Bolivia and New Caledonia have already secured their places.
Before kick-off, Nigeria made headlines by leaving long-time captain William Troost-Ekong on the bench. Wilfred Ndidi wore the armband instead, while midfielder Frank Onyeka whose late goal against Benin last month secured Nigeria’s place in this stage started among the substitutes.
The match featured two major VAR reviews. One denied Osimhen a penalty claim, and another dismissed loud appeals from Gabon after Bright Osayi-Samuel tugged Aaron Appindangoye’s shirt during a set-piece.
Despite the setback of conceding late in regular time, Nigeria’s extra-time dominance ensured they remain on track to qualify for their seventh World Cup appearance.
The team will now shift focus to Sunday’s showdown, aware that victory brings them one step closer to securing a place on football’s grandest stage.
