Nigeria powered into the 2026 FIFA World Cup African Playoffs final with a commanding 4-1 extra-time victory over Gabon at the Moulay Al Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, on Thursday evening.
The Super Eagles will now face either Cameroon or DR Congo in Sunday’s decisive clash, with the winner advancing to the inter-confederation playoffs in Mexico next March.
Gabon’s hopes of reaching their first-ever World Cup were extinguished by Nigeria’s late surge, leaving the Panthers to shift focus to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, also set to be hosted in Morocco.
Nigeria controlled proceedings from the outset, with Wilfred Ndidi dictating the midfield and Victor Osimhen looking dangerous throughout the opening half.
The Napoli striker had two good opportunities to break the deadlock—one header drifting wide in the 17th minute and another saved smartly by goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba four minutes later. Despite their dominance, the Super Eagles reached half-time still locked at 0-0.
Gabon Strike Late to Force Extra Time
The breakthrough finally came in the 78th minute when Akor Adams punished a poor defensive pass, outpacing Mbaba to slot home what seemed to be the winning goal.
But Gabon struck back dramatically in the 89th minute as Mario Lemina smashed in the equaliser, sending the tie into extra time.
Nigeria responded with authority. Chidera Ejuke netted his first international goal to restore the lead, before Osimhen took centre stage.
The forward struck his 30th international goal in the 102nd minute and added another eight minutes later with a low, powerful finish past Mbaba.
The brace took Osimhen to 31 goals for Nigeria, edging him closer to Rashidi Yekini’s all-time record of 37, and sealed a well-deserved 4-1 triumph for the Super Eagles.
