Osimhen Scores Twice As Nigeria Thrash Gabon 4–1 To Reach World Cup Play-Off Final

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

NIGERIA boosted their bid for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday as striker Victor Osimhen netted twice to inspire the Super Eagles to a 4–1 victory over Gabon after extra time, sealing their spot in the play-off final.

Akor Adams opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 78th minute, but just as the Super Eagles appeared set for a 1–0 win, Mario Lemina struck for Gabon in the 89th minute to send the match into extra time.

In the 97th minute, substitute Chidera Ejuke restored Nigeria’s lead with his first international goal.

Osimhen, who had missed a gilt-edged chance at the end of regular time when he fired wide with only goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba to beat, made amends five minutes into extra time. The Napoli striker coolly finished across Mbaba into the far corner after being set up by Benjamin Fredrick.

He struck again in the 110th minute, controlling a long pass before firing another precise shot beyond Mbaba into the same corner.

Nigeria will now face the winner of the ongoing tie between Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African final on Sunday, with a place in the six-nation intercontinental play-offs next March at stake.

Two winners from the African finals will qualify for the 2026 World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Bolivia and New Caledonia have already booked their places.

Nigeria made a pre-match tactical change by leaving regular captain and central defender William Troost-Ekong on the bench, with Wilfred Ndidi of Beşiktaş donning the captain’s armband.

Another substitute, Frank Onyeka of Brentford, had previously scored a crucial goal in Nigeria’s 4–0 group win over Benin last month, which helped the team edge past Burkina Faso into the play-offs.

The Super Eagles dominated large parts of the first half, with Osimhen coming close three times to breaking the deadlock — heading wide twice and seeing a penalty appeal for handball turned down after a VAR review.

There was another lengthy VAR check just after the hour mark when Nigeria’s Bright Osayi-Samuel appeared to tug the shirt of Aaron Appindangoye in the box. However, Gabon’s appeals for a penalty were dismissed by South African referee Abongile Tom.

The breakthrough finally came when Sevilla winger Akor Adams intercepted a misplaced Gabon pass, rounded Mbaba, and slotted home.

Gabon’s equaliser carried a stroke of fortune, as Stanley Nwabali seemed to have Lemina’s shot covered until it took a deflection and crept into the corner of the net.

The three extra-time goals from Ejuke and Osimhen ensured that Nigeria’s dream of a seventh World Cup appearance remains alive.

Credit: Stonix News