JUST IN: Nigeria thrash Gabon 4-1 to reach African World Cup playoffs final

The Super Eagles have qualified for the final of the African playoffs for the 2026 World Cup.

The team defeated Gabon 4-1 in the semi-final of the mini-tourney at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Thursday.

Two goals from Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria defeat Gabon 4-1 after extra time in Thursday’s CAF World Cup playoff semifinal.

The Super Eagles had looked to be heading for a 1-0 victory after Sevilla’s Akor Adams had pounced on a dreadful mix-up at the back for Gabon amid pouring rain in Rabat, Morocco.

Mario Lemina’s deflected strike levelled matters late on, though, to keep Gabon’s hopes of qualifying for a first ever World Cup alive. It seemed the fates might even have been on their side when in-form Osimhen, who scored a hat-trick in that crucial win over Benin back in October, missed the target when through one on one in the final seconds of normal time.

But the Galatasaray star made amends in the additional period as Eric Chelle’s team finally took control of proceedings. Adams’ club teammate Chidera Ejuke finished with aplomb from Wilfred Ndidi’s pass, and Osimhen at last got his goal with a similarly unerring finish five minutes later.

Osimhen ensured there would be no chance of a comeback early in extra time’s second half, bringing down a high ball before driving into space and finishing well.

Nigeria will now face either Cameroon or DR Congo in Sunday’s final. Only the winners of this month’s mini-tournament will secure their place in the inter-continental playoffs next March and compete for one of two spots in the World Cup group stage.

All matches are being staged in Morocco, giving this the feel of a condensed Africa Cup of Nations, with Africa’s premier competition taking place in the country in December