REPORTER: NDU CHRIS NWANNAH
The Super Eagles of Nigeria played like wounded lions in a do or die encounter, securing an emphatic 4 – 1 win against the Panthers of Gabon in a crucial 2026 African World Cup playoff game.
The first semi final of the playoff, which was staged in Rabat, Morocco, saw the Nigerian team missing numerous chances in the first half.
There was a mild drama , earlier in the game as the Nigerian players celebrated a handball against Gabon, following a goal mouth scramble. However, the referee overlooked it and never consulted the VAR for confirmation.
Later in the second half of the game, a foul call by Gabon led to a VAR consultation. After watching the replay for several minutes, the referee dismissed it as a no foul incident.
Despite having a greater possession of the match, with Gabon having few clinical chances, the Super Eagles opened scoring in the 78th minute through Akor Adams.
The goal came as the Gabonese defence failed, leaving Adams to displace the goalkeeper and and a defender within the box to slot the ball into the net.
It was not long before the Gabonese team struck the equalizer in the 89th minute through Lemina, whose shot was deflected by a Nigerian defender to beat Stanley Nwabali.
The added 12 minutes could not produce any goal as the match stretched into 30 minutes Extra Time. However, Victor Osimhen had the chance of burying the game on the dot 12 minutes as he was gifted a thorough pass, but shot wide in a one on one encounter with the goalkeeper, after outpacing the opposing defender.
The Super Eagles came into the first 15 minutes of the Extra Time, smoking and laying creative, nerve breaking passes.
One of such passes from Nigeria’s Captain, Ndidi, caught Chidera Ejuke in the Gabonese 18 yards box as he wasted no time in giving Super Eagles the lead in the 98th minute.
4 minutes later, Victor Osimhen made amends for his last minute wide shot, after striking deep into the left angle for Nigeria’s third goal.
Victor Osimhen scored a second goal in the 110 minutes, after controlling the ball, beating a group of defenders and tapping the ball into the Gabonese net for Nigeria’s fourth goal.
In the second semi final match, Democratic Republic of Congo beat Cameroon by a lone goal to secure a final clash against Nigeria.
The final match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, African playoff will come up at Prince Heritier Moulaye El Hassan Stadium, Rabat, Morocco on Sunday.
The winner of the encounter will further engage in an intercontinental playoff, where only two teams are expected to emerge.
