Victor Osimhen scored a sensational brace in extra time as Nigeria thrashed Gabon 4‑1 in the CAF World Cup playoff semifinals in Rabat, Morocco, on Thursday.
Chidera Ejuke also added a goal to complete a dominant performance that sent the Super Eagles to the playoff final.
Nigeria had opened the scoring late in the second half when Akor Adams pounced on a wayward Gabonese pass, rounded the goalkeeper, and calmly slotted into an empty net.
Gabon fought back and equalized with Mario Lemina’s strike from the left side of the penalty area, which deflected off a Nigerian defender to beat keeper Stanley Nwabali.
The match went into extra time after a tense, back-and-forth 90 minutes. Ejuke restored Nigeria’s lead with a precise finish, before Osimhen added his second goal to put the result beyond Gabon’s reach. Despite earlier missed chances in regulation time, the Super Eagles’ firepower in extra time proved decisive.
Nigeria will now face the winner of Thursday’s other semifinal between Congo DR and Cameroon for a spot in the six-team inter-confederation playoff in March.
The Super Eagles’ preparations had been disrupted by a standoff over unpaid bonuses, but the issue was resolved just before the match.
Nigeria failed to reach the 2022 World Cup, falling to Ghana in the qualification playoff, while Gabon remain among the African nations yet to make a World Cup appearance.
Captain William Troost-Ekong reassured fans on social media, “We are together and, as before, focused on the games ahead!”
Nigeria will meet either Cameroon or DR Congo in Sunday’s playoff final, with only the victor of this mini-tournament earning a spot in the intercontinental playoffs next March, where two places in the World Cup group stage will be up for grabs.
