Nigeria Beat Gabon After Extra Time to Keep 2026 World Cup Dream Alive

The Super Eagles of Nigeria booked their place in the African World Cup qualifying play-off final after defeating Gabon 4–1 in extra time on Thursday at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.

Nigeria took an early lead through Akor Adams, who calmly finished a flowing move midway through the first half. However, Mario Lemina equalised late in the second half with a deflected strike that sent the game into extra time.

In the added period, substitute Chidera Ejuke restored Nigeria’s lead before Victor Osimhen delivered a stunning brace to seal an emphatic victory for the three-time African champions.

Osimhen, who had missed a golden opportunity to win the game in stoppage time, redeemed himself with two clinical finishes that underlined his status as one of Africa’s top strikers.

The result sends Nigeria through to the final stage of the African play-offs, where they will face the winner of Cameroon vs DR Congo on Sunday. The victor of that encounter will advance to the intercontinental play-offs in March 2026, keeping hopes alive for a spot at the FIFA World Cup in North America.

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