Two extra time goals from Victor Osimhen fired Nigeria into the final of the African play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dramatic and commanding 4-1 extra-time victory over Gabon on Thursday in Rabat, Morocco to keep their World Cup dream alive.
Chidera Ejuke and Victor Osimhen struck in the first period of added time after the match in Rabat had ended 1-1 after 90 minutes. Akor Adams had given Eric Chelle’s side the lead in the 78th minute, before Gabon levelled in the 89th minute through Mario Lemina’s deflected shot to send the game to extra time.
Nigeria, in pursuit of a seventh World Cup ticket, carved out two chances inside four minutes of the match played at the Moulay Hassan Stadium, with Wilfred Ndidi’s freekick sailed narrowly over, while Akor Adams failed to trouble Loyce Mbaba with an early opening.
Alex Iwobi, earning his 90th cap, fired over in the 11th minute, and Bright Osayi-Samuel’s burst through the right nearly produced a breakthrough. Within a frantic five-minute spell, Victor Osimhen missed the target three times but remained undeterred. The Galatasaray striker even thought he had finally scored, only for South African referee Tom Abongile and VAR to rule that the ball had not fully crossed the line.
The second half swung back and forth with intensity. Gabon ramped up their aggression, and a possible penalty review against Nigeria was waved away after a lengthy VAR check.
Nigeria’s persistence paid off in the 78th minute when Akor Adams, alert to a poor back-pass from Aaron Ondele, intercepted and calmly slotted home to give the Super Eagles the lead.
But just as it seemed Nigeria would advance in regulation time, Mario Lemina pounced on a loose header from Osayi-Samuel and rifled home a 89th-minute equaliser, forcing extra time and shifting the pressure back onto Nigeria.
Osimhen had a golden chance to win it deep into stoppage time when Moses Simon released him on the break, but the striker’s shot flashed wide.
Nigeria emerged into extra time with renewed vigour. Seven minutes in, Ndidi dispossessed Gabon in midfield and released Chidera Ejuke, who finished clinically past Mbaba to restore Nigeria’s lead.
Two minutes later, the pendulum swung decisively. Benjamin Fredrick, the brilliant 20-year-old defender, launched an overlapping run from the back and threaded a perfect pass for Osimhen, who buried the chance for his 30th international goal.
Then, five minutes into the second half of extra time, Osimhen produced a stunning solo effort—chesting down a high ball, dancing past two defenders and finishing with precision for his 31st goal in 45 games for Nigeria, placing him just six goals short of the legendary Rashidi Yekini.
The Galatasaray striker ripped off his protective face mask and shirt, celebrating with pure relief and emotion after missing the earlier chance to seal the win. Ndidi nearly added a fifth late on, forcing Mbaba into a sharp save.
In the other semi-final, DR Congo defeated Cameroon 1-0, setting up a high-stakes final against Nigeria on Sunday in Rabat. The winner advances to the six-team intercontinental playoff in March, the last chance to the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup.
With Eric Chelle still unbeaten as head coach since his appointment in January and the Super Eagles finding their rhythm at the right moment, Nigeria is one victory away from returning to world football’s biggest stage after missing out in 2022.
