By Olaitan Ibrahim
Victor Osimhen scored twice as the Super Eagles sealed an emphatic 4-1 victory over the Panthers of Gabon in extra time to advance to the next playoff stage of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Thursday at Stade Mohammed V in Rabat, Morocco.
After a goalless first half, Akor Adams broke the deadlock early in the second half, capitalising on a player’s error to put Nigeria ahead.
Gabon, however, equalised four minutes before the end of the match, forcing the game into extra time.
Chidera Ejuke restored Nigeria’s lead with a composed finish before Osimhen extended the advantage, netting twice to put the result beyond doubt. The Super Eagles’ solid defensive display, led by Benjamin Frederick and Calvin Bassey, ensured Gabon’s late efforts came to nothing. In a related development, Nigeria’s Super Eagles will now face the Leopards of DR Congo in the final of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers Africa playoffs in Morocco on Sunday. DR Congo beat Cameroon 1-0 in the second semi-final at the Stade El Barid in Rabat, thanks to a late winner by Captain Chancel Mbemba.
The Leopards captain skipped past his marker to convert a Brian Cipenga’s corner in the first minute of stoppage time and upset the five-time African champions.
Cameroon hold the African record for the most appearances at the World Cup, with eight overall, but will be missing from the expanded 48-team tournament next year. They lost the automatic ticket during the playoffs to Cape Verde, who will be making their first appearance at the Mundial. Earlier, Nigeria beat Gabon 4-1 after extra time at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat to advance into the final.
Akor Adams had put the Super Eagles 1-0 up in the 78th minute of regular time, but they were pegged back with just a minute left on the clock through Mario Lemina’s deflected shot.
Chidera Ejuke restored the lead in extra-time with his first goal for Nigeria before Victor Osimhen scored a brace to send the Eagles into Sunday’s final.
The winners of the continental play-off final will progress to a six-team intercontinental qualifier, which will be held in Mexico by March 2026 and will determine the final two nations at next year’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.