Super Eagles of Nigeria thumped the Panthers of Gabon 4-1 to book their spot in the final of the CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers playoffs, www.aclsports.com reports.
After Mario Lemina cancelled out Akor Adams’ opener, the Super Eagles ran riot in extra-time with goals from Chidera Ejuke and Victoe Osimhen (brace) in Rabat, Morocco on Thursday.
Eric Chelle welcomed Ademola Lookman back into his starting line-up following his suspension against Benin back in October. Defender Semi Ajayi missed out due to suspension, meaning the returning Bright Osayi-Samuel started at right-back, and Benjamin Fredrick at the heart of the backline with Calvin Bassey.
Nigeria made a great start to the game when the Gabon goalkeeper easily gathered Lookman’s tame free kick. In the 21st minute, Osimhen got above his marker and headed the ball down, but Mbaba made a brilliant save to concede a corner.
Osimhen fired an effort wide moments later before Nigeria thought they had taken the lead following a scramble, but the ball did not go over the line. Meanwhile, the referee awarded a free kick in favour of Gabon instead. Although there was also a short VAR check for handball in the box, the game restarted quickly.
For the remainder of the half, Nigeria threatened through Osimhen, Osayi-Samuel, and Lookman, but Gabon survived as the match went into the interval deadlocked.
After the break, a lengthy VAR check was needed after Osayi-Samuel pulled a Gabon player in the box. South African referee Abongile Tom went over to the monitor, but decided to stick with his original decision of “no penalty”. Nigeria continued to be under immense pressure, but the defence held on.
With 12 minutes left on the clock, Sevilla forward Akor Adams intercepted a poor back-pass, kept his composure, rounded off the goalkeeper, and put the ball into an empty net. Chelle took Adams off for Frank Onyeka moments after, as he tried to seal the game. However, Mario Lemina’s shot was deflected by Bright Osayi-Samuel into the net in the 89th minute.
Nigeria could have won it in injury time when Victor Osimhen was played through on goal by Frank Onyeka, but the Gala man sent his effort agonizingly wide of the mark. The match ended 1-1 in regulation time.
In the first half of extra time, Wilfred Ndidi sent a lovely throughball into the path of Chidera Ejuke to restore Nigeria’s lead. Moments later, Osimhen converted a pass from the impressive Fredrick to make it 3-1 to Nigeria. The striker then added another in the second-half of extra-time to complete the win.
Nigeria will now face the winner between Cameroon and DR Congo in Sunday’s final, with a place in March’s intercontinental play-off on the line.
