The 2026 World Cup playoff match between Nigeria and Gabon was anything but a walk in the park for the Super Eagles. Three goals in extra time took Nigeria one step closer to the 2026 World Cup.
The Super Eagles took the lead in the 78th minute through Alor Adams. The lead was wiped out in the 89th minute by Mario Lemina, whose shot took a heavy deflection and found its way into Nigeria’s net.
The match went into extra time, where Chidera Ejuke restored the lead with his first-ever goal for Nigeria, before Victor Osimhen scored a brace to all but seal Nigeria’s place in the final on Sunday.
Osimhen’s brace against Gabon took his tally to 31 goals for Nigeria, six behind the legendary Rashidi Yekini.
He is now Nigeria’s second all-time leading goalscorer, ahead of stars like Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Segun Odegbami.
Nigeria is set to face DR Congo in the final on Sunday. DR Congo beat Cameroon 1–0 thanks to a 90th-minute goal from captain Chancel Mbemba, who delivered a standout performance capped with a late winner.
The winner on Sunday advances to the inter-continental playoffs hosted by Mexico in March 2026, where the final two tickets to the 2026 World Cup will be decided.
