Akor Adams opener, Lemina equaliser, then Osimhen and Ejuke take over for Nigeria.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria kept their 2026 FIFA World Cup dream alive with a thrilling 4-1 extra time win over the Gabon National Football Team in Rabat, Morocco. The match saw a tense 1-1 draw after 90 minutes before Nigeria turned on the style in extra time.
Led by an opener Akor Adams, brace from Victor Osimhen and a key strike from Chidera Ejuke. For Nigeria, this result not only sends them into the final of the CAF playoff but also brings them one step closer to qualifying for the World Cup via the inter-confederation playoff.
From Kickoff to Final Whistle
The game began in Rabat at the Stade Prince Moulay El Hassan with high stakes and tension as Nigeria fought to keep their World Cup hopes alive. Gabon, meanwhile, played with purpose, aware of what was at stake.
Nigeria dominated much of the early game in terms of possession and chances, but the Gabon goalkeeper stood firm and some key misses haunted the Super Eagles. In the 78th minute Nigeria broke the deadlock: a poor pass from Gabon’s Aaron Appindangoye was intercepted by Akor Adams who rounded the keeper and slotted home. But with time running out, Gabon struck back: in the 89th minute, Mario Lemina fired a shot that deflected in off a Nigerian defender to equalise and send the game into extra time.
Once extra time began Nigeria turned the game into a showcase: in the 97th minute Ejuke finished from a pass by captain Wilfred Ndidi to put Nigeria ahead. Then Osimhen grabbed his first goal of the night in the 102nd minute, and his second in the 110th minute, sealing the 4-1 victory. The final whistle triggered jubilant scenes for Nigeria and heartbreak for Gabon, whose hopes of a first ever World Cup appear to fade.
Stats
 Final Score: Nigeria 4 – Gabon 1 (after extra time)
 Goalscorers: Nigeria:
*Akor Adams (78′), Chidera Ejuke (97′ – ET), Victor Osimhen (102′, 110′)
*Gabon: Mario Lemina (89′)
 Nigeria entered this playoff as one of the four best runners-up from CAF qualifying.
 Head-to-head context: Historically Nigeria have had the upper hand over Gabon; recent form suggested Nigeria were favourites.
The Decisive Moment
While the opener by Adams broke the deadlock and the equaliser by Lemina injected drama, the decisive moment came early in extra time when Ejuke’s strike restored Nigeria’s lead. From that moment onwards, the Super Eagles carried the game with confidence and Osimhen’s brace put the matter beyond doubt.
One can argue that Nigeria’s ability to stay resilient after the 89th-minute blow and then dominate when it mattered made the difference. Gabon, despite showing heart, lacked the cutting edge in extra time and were unable to shift the momentum back.
What This Means for Both Teams
For Nigeria, this victory reignites their World Cup ambitions. Finishing second in their group placed them into this play-off route, and this win gives them a date in the final where a win would send them into the inter-confederation playoff. One step away from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
For Gabon, the defeat is crushing. With the loss, their chance to make history by reaching a World Cup appears to vanish. Despite gathering momentum and performing admirably in previous rounds, they couldn’t sustain it when it counted. The players will need to regroup and possibly shift focus to the upcoming AFCON (African Cup of Nations) and beyond.
Reaction and What’s Next
Reactions in Nigeria were jubilant. Players and fans alike celebrated the extra time win as proof that the Super Eagles have the character to go deep. There were also off-field issues: the squad had reportedly resolved a bonus/allowance dispute with the Nigeria Football Federation ahead of the match, an issue which had threatened to derail preparations.
Next up for Nigeria: they await the winner of the other semi-final between Cameroon National Football Team and DR Congo National Football Team to contest the final. The winner of that final will then move on to the inter-confederation playoff in March 2026 for a ticket to the World Cup.
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