Nigeria v Gabon live: Osimhen brace gives Super Eagles place in World Cup 2026 play-off final
Nigeria 4-1 Gabon: Osimhen scored either side of Chidera Ejuke to seal an extra-time win for the Super Eagles in Rabat
Victor Osimhen and Chidera Juke were the extra-time heroes for Nigeria as the Super Eagles booked a place in the CAF play-off final with a win over Gabon.
The match began as a cagey affair, with both sides starting slowly in Rabat, though Nigeria soon began to dominate as both sides spurned chances, with Osimhen and Royce Openda both going close in the first half.
Neither side was able to create much in front of goal during the second half either, though the match kicked into life when Akor Adams latched onto a poor back pass from Aaron Appindangoye to round the ‘keeper and open the scoring on 78 minutes. Nigeria had thought they had won it, but Mario Lemina dragged his side back into it in the 89th minute with a deflected effort.
And there was still time for Osimhen to miss a chance to win the tie at the end of 12 additional minutes in normal time, blasting wide when clean through, though he made up for it with the brace in extra-time, with two accomplished finishes either side of Ejuke’s goal booking Nigeria’s place in the final.
Follow along for the latest reaction from the African World Cup qualifying play-offs:
FULL-TIME! Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
That result means Nigeria will face either Cameroon or DR Congo in Sunday’s play-off final. The other match kicks off later this evening.
Sunday’s final will see Nigeria return to Rabat to try and earn a place in the inter-federation play-off finals for a place at the World Cup!
FULL-TIME! Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
The referee brings the game to an end an Nigeria have booked their place in the play-off final!
It’s not to be for Gabon, who fought well, but they just couldn't deal with the Super Eagles’ firepower in the end.
Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
120 mins
Remarkably, the added time has been changed for some reason. Maybe a mistake from the fourth official. We’re about there...
Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
120 mins
Another four minutes of added time here. That brings us to over 30 minutes of added time in this match!
Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
119 mins
A long-range effort from Ndidi forces yet another save from Mbaba.
Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
117 mins
No hat trick for Osimhen, as he makes way for Arokodare.
Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
115 mins
Nigeria are just knocking it around confidently now, with Gabon looking knackered.
GOAL! Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
111 mins
GOAL! That will indeed be that!
It’s another great effort from Osimhen, who brings the long ball down on the edge of the box before taking it past a couple of challenges and hitting a lovely reverse shot into the far corner.
Nigeria 3-1 Gabon
109 mins
Two subs for Nigeria as Osayi-Samuel and Iwobi come off for Chidozie Awaziem and William Troost-Ekong.
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