Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Thursday hammered Gabon 4-1 to book a place in Sunday’s final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying (2026WCQ) African Playoff.
Striker Victor Osimhen struck twice in extra time to make sure of a deserved even if painstaking victory over Gabon in Rabat.
ACLSports Chief Football Writer, Fisayo Dairo rates the players on parade.
Stanley Nwabali – 5.5/10.
In a game he had not much to do, he put the team and the entire country in continued danger with his eccentricity.
Bright Osayi-Samuel – 4/10
Obviously the team’s weak link on Thursday. His part in the equalising goal for Gabon will linger for a while but it has been coming, indeed.
Zaidu Sanusi – 6.5/10
Hard to fault him for anything. He had a steady and disciplined performance. Our AFCON Sanusi is back for good.
Benjamin Fredrick – 9/10 ⭐️
The only reason he is not getting a 10/10 from me is simply because I always reserve perfection for God. What a talent! What a discovery! He then capped a performance for the ages with a sublime assist. The leader of defence for the next decade is born!
Calvin Bassey – 7/10
Forged a good partnership with Fredrick, as is becoming the norm and helped to give Nwabali adequate shield.
Wilfred Ndidi – 6.5/10
Compensated for an average performance with a critical assist for Nigeria’s second goal. In his defence, he is overworked again but struggled to exert authority in midfield for larger spell.
Alex Iwobi – 6.5/10
Was central to Nigeria’s good play in the first half an hour but seemed to fizzle out thereafter like many of his teammates that struggled physically. Had some good link-ups with Osimhen when he got into the Number 10 role.
Samuel Chukwueze – 6/10
Another overworked player and although his work helped in the team’s first half blitz, he also fizzled out after exerting so much energy and became the sacrificial lamb on the hour mark.
Ademola Lookman – 4/10
Another disappointing display in a World Cup qualifying game. Still looks way off from sharpness and lacked the killer instinct to put the Gabonese to the sword in the first half. Lasted for an hour seemingly due to reputation than performance.
Akor Adams – 7.5/10
Great performance by the Sevilla man. Continued his new found partnership with Osimhen and continued his enviable record of Nigeria leading whenever he leaves the pitch. Would have been judged for his early miss but produced an overall team performance.
Victor Osimhen – 7/10
Strange that he had just 7/10 despite scoring a brace? That’s because he was a good reason Nigeria did not win in 90 minutes with a couple of uncharacteristic misses. He gets his pass mark by atoning especially with the last Osimhen trademarked goal.
Substitutes
Chidera Ejuke – 6.5/10
For a player that is not known for scoring much, he took his goal quite brilliantly. Although his overall contribution can be better, the goal was the prelude to the extra-time blitz.
Moses Simon – 6/10
Didn’t do much to prove to Monsieur Chelle that it was a bad decision to start Lookman ahead of him. He however had a good working relationship with Sanusi on the left.
Frank Onyeka – 6.5/10
Had a good performance in the midfield trident with a jaded Ndidi and Iwobi. Certainly will be in the frame to replace the suspended Ndidi on Sunday.
Chidozie Awaziem and William Ekong – NA
Let me know what you think.
