Nigeria “beat Gabon to keep their dream of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup alive.”
Akor Adams “broke the deadlock in the 77th minute,” but “Mario Lemina’s deflected effort in the 89th minute forced the second round semi-final play-off into extra-time.” In extra-time, “Eric Chelle’s side took full control.”
Chidera Ejuke “restored the lead with a cool finish” before “Victor Osimhen finally got on the scoresheet, helping himself to a brace as the Super Eagles took the game away from the Panthers.”
As a result, Nigeria “have sealed their place in Sunday’s play-off final” where they will face the winners of the other semi-final between Cameroon and DR Congo.
Should Nigeria win that fixture, “they will secure a place in a six-team inter-confederation play-off to be held in Mexico in March, with one qualification spot up for grabs.”
The Super Eagles guaranteed themselves a play-off spot “in dramatic fashion last month by beating Benin 4-0 in the final match of the first round qualification section.”
Frank Onyeka “scored the decisive goal in injury time” following Osimhen’s “superb hat-trick” to set up the semi-final against a Gabon side who “won eight of their ten matches in the group phase.”
After a “cagey start in Rabat,” Nigeria “took control and were unlucky to have not scored at least once during a ten minute spell as Osimhen saw three golden chances go begging.”
The “in-form Galatasaray striker was off target with two efforts… and saw his header superbly saved by Loyce Mbaba.”
Gabon “were certainly the better side in the early stages of the second half and felt that had a strong claim for a penalty” when “Aaron Appindangoye was having his shirt pulled in the area by Bright Osayi-Samuel in the box.”
However, “following a lengthy VAR review, the Panthers were not awarded a penalty.”
Appindangoye was “then at fault for Gabon falling behind,” but despite Lemina’s equaliser, “Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and company saw their World Cup dream come to an end.”
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