The match looked set for a tense penalty shootout after a rollercoaster finish to normal time. Nigeria’s Akor Adams opened the scoring with a late goal, only for Gabon’s Mario Lemina to snatch a dramatic equalizer with a deflected shot in the final moments of regulation, sending the game into an extra 30 minutes.
The momentum swung decisively in extra time. Substitute Chidera Ejuke first put Nigeria back in front, before reigning African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen took over.
The Napoli striker, last season’s top scorer in the UEFA Champions League, netted twice to complete a commanding 4-1 victory and reinforce his role as the team’s talisman.
With the win, Nigeria moves on to the African playoff final on Sunday, where they will meet the Democratic Republic of Congo, who edged out Cameroon 1-0 in the other semifinal.
The winner of this final in Rabat will secure a place in the six-team intercontinental playoffs next March, where two remaining spots for the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be up for grabs.
