Nigeria 4-1 Gabon: Excitement as Eagles soar into World Cup playoffs final

Eagles

Three extra-time goals, including a brace from Victor Osimhen as well as another strike from Chidera Ejuke, took Nigeria one step closer to the 2026 World Cup, after they beat Gabon 4-1 in the first semi-final of the African playoffs in Morocco on Thursday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Akor Adams had put the Super Eagles 1-0 up in the 78th minute of regular time, but they were pegged back with just a minute left on the clock through Mario Lemina’s deflected shot. Ejuke restored the lead in extra-time with his first goal for Nigeria before Osimhen scored a brace to send the Eagles into Sunday’s final.

Rocked by a bonus row with the Nigeria Football Federation 48 hours before the game, the Super Eagles didn’t show any signs of weakness against the Panthers in the opening exchange.

Zaidu Sanusi was the first to have a goal attempt, testing Gabon goalkeeper Marius Mbaba in the opening minute with a free-kick from a long way out. Moments later, Akor Adams found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper from a diagonal angle, but couldn’t sneak his ball past him as well. Punch