Tonight, the Super Eagles may have left it late before they saw off Gabon 4-1 in extra time to reach Sunday’s CAF 2026 World Cup Playoffs.
Victor Osimhen 31goal for Nigeria!
— Buchi Laba (@Buchi_Laba) November 13, 2025
8goals in the World Cup qualifying campaign!
WHATTTT A GOAAAAALLLLLL! BEST STRIKER IN THE DAMN WORLD!
pic.twitter.com/tAOTvdPSOm
Victor Osimhen atoned for fluffing a stoppage sitter that would have won the game for Nigeria in regulation time by scoring twice in extra-time.
After a scoreless first half during which Nigeria dominated proceedings and created the better chances, Jerome Akor finally put the Super Eagles ahead in the 78th minute, when he cashed in on a misplaced back pass by Gabon to roll the ball into an open net.
However, Mario Lamina drew Gabon level in the 89th minute off a deflected shot off Bright Osayi-Samuel.
Osimhen could have won the game for Nigeria in added time, but incredibly he scoffed his shot wide off target when only face-to-face with the Gabon goalkeeper.
Substitute Chidera Ejuke restored Nigeria’s lead in the 97th minute, when he put away a superb through ball by Wilfred Ndidi.
It was his first Super Eagles goal.
Osimhen then made it 3-1 in the 102th minute, when he fired past the excellent Gabon goalkeeper after he was set up by the rampaging run of defender Benjamin Fredrick.
The Galatasaray striker got his brace in the 109th minute, when he controlled a long free kick before he smashed home for Nigeria’s fourth goal on the night.
Super Eagles Starting XI vs Gabon (4-4-2)
Nwabali – Zaidu Sanusi, Osayi-Samuel (Ekong 108), Fredrick, Calvin Bassey – Ndidi (captain), Iwobi (Awaziem 108), Chukwueze (Moses Simon 60), Ademola Lookman (Chidera Ejuke 60) – Osimhen (Arokodare 116), Akor (Onyeka 83)
