The Super Eagles on Thursday thrashed Gabon in Morocco to keep their 2026 World Cup hope alive.
The pulsating encounter ended 4-1. The match is the World Cup playoff semi-final. Nigeria qualified for the mini-competition as one of the best runners-up in the main qualifying series.
Eric Chelle’s men finished behind South Africa who clinched the automatic ticket from Group C.
The Super Eagles dominated early proceedings of the game, but failed to make their dominance count as the first half ended goalless.
They were also lucky not to concede a penalty after Bright Osayi-Samuel pulled the shirt of Lemina during a setpiece, which resulted in a lengthy VAR check. The referee later decided to award a corner kick after adjudging that there was not enough to award a spot-kick.
Akor Adams gave Nigeria the lead in the 78th minute after he pounced on a loose ball to score into an empty net.
But Gabon equalised 10 minutes later, as Mario Lemina’s deflected effort crept in near post past a wrong-footed Stanley Nábálì to restore Parity.
Early in extra time, Chidera Ejuke finished off Wilfred Ndidi’s pass to restore Nigeria’s lead, before Victor Osimhen added a brace.
Nigeria will now face the winner between DR Congo and Cameroon, to claim the ticket to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoffs in March 2026.
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