AfriPulse
RABAT, Morocco — Nigeria have advanced to the final of the African playoffs for the 2026 World Cup after defeating Gabon 4–1 in a dramatic extra-time victory on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
The Super Eagles will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in Sunday, November 16, 2025’s decider, after DR Congo edged Cameroon 1–0 in the day’s second semi-final.
The win brings Nigeria within one match of securing Africa’s sole ticket to the intercontinental playoff, the final hurdle on the road to the World Cup.
Victor Osimhen led the charge with a decisive brace, while Chidera Ejuke and Akor Adams added a goal apiece as Nigeria turned a tense contest into a late onslaught.
The two goals lifted Osimhen’s national tally to 31, leaving him just six behind Rashidi Yekini’s long-standing record as the country’s all-time leading scorer.
The team entered the match under a cloud of off-field controversy, following a player boycott of a training session earlier in the week over unpaid allowances.
But once the game began, the Eagles showed little sign of distraction.
Nigeria dominated early proceedings, with Osimhen creating three major chances in the opening half-hour.
Loyce Mbaba, Gabon’s goalkeeper, produced two sharp saves — parrying a powerful header and stopping an effort from Akor — while Osimhen sent another attempt wide.
Despite sustained pressure, Mbaba appeared unbeatable until the 78th minute.
A loose Gabonese pass allowed Akor to steal possession, race past the goalkeeper and finish calmly into an empty net, claiming his second goal for the national team.
Just as Nigeria looked set to progress comfortably, Mario Lemina stunned the Eagles with an equaliser in the 89th minute, forcing extra time.
The additional 30 minutes proved decisive.
Ejuke scored his first goal for Nigeria shortly after play resumed, breaking Gabon’s resistance.
Osimhen then added two more — a clinical double that sealed the match and underscored his growing stature in the national side.
In the second semi-final at the Al-Barid Stadium, DR Congo claimed a narrow victory over Cameroon.
Chancel Mbemba struck in the 91st minute, spiking the ball past goalkeeper Andre Onana from a corner to send his team into their first World Cup playoff final since the country, then known as Zaire, reached the tournament in 1974.
Sunday’s final at the Moulay Hassan Stadium will determine which nation represents Africa in the intercontinental playoff.
Both Nigeria and DR Congo now stand one win away from extending their World Cup ambitions into the last qualifying stage.
Source: TheTrentOnline | Read the Full Story…
