World Cup Playoffs: Super Eagles record massive victory over Gabon in a thrilling encounter

The Super Eagles Thursday night brightened their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup when they recorded a massive 4-1 victory over ‘The Panthers’ of Gabon in one of the CAF semi-final playoffs decided at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat, Morocco.
It was three extra time goals scored by Chidera Ejuke and another two by Victor Osimhen that ensured the Eagles fly over their Central African opponents.

Both teams came into the game trying to score an early goal in the encounter. While Victor Osimhen led the Super Eagles attack, Gabonese top striker,
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, led the assault of his side.
However, the first half ended without a goal.

At the resumption of the second half, it took a review from the video assistant referee for what the Central Africans argued was a penalty kick not to be awarded against Nigeria.
The deadlock was broken in the 78th minute when a false back pass by a Gabonese defender, Aaron Appindangoye to his goalkeeper was collected by on rushing Akor Adams to score Nigerian goal.

Immediately after the goal, the Gabonese came out fighting and got their equalizer when a shot by Mario Lemina was deflected into Nigerian’s goal to put scores at 1-1.

What would have been Nigeria’s second goal in the dying minutes of the game was wasted by Victor Osimhen to take the match into extra time.
At the beginning of the extra time, Chidera Ejuke scored the second goal in the first few minutes while Victor Osimhen added a third one few minutes later and the fourth one in the second half of extra time to put the game beyond the Gabonese and ensure Nigeria qualifies for the finals of the playoffs
The Super Eagles will now face DR Congo in the finals following their 1-0 defeat of Cameroon in the other semi- final clash.