Nigeria on Thursday stormed into the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off final after a thrilling 4–1 extra-time victory over Gabon at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay El Hassan in Rabat, Morocco. Nigeria will meet Congo Democratic Republic on Sunday for the qualifiers against the Oceania.

 

It was a pulsating contest that lived up to its billing as the “Rumble in Rabat.” The three-time African champions, chasing a seventh World Cup appearance, showed character and composure to overturn late drama and end Gabon’s dreams of a maiden World Cup qualification.

 

The Super Eagles were the brighter side from the onset. Within the opening four minutes, Wilfred Ndidi, captaining the team in the absence of Ahmed Musa, saw his free-kick skim just over the crossbar, while Akor Adams’ effort inside the box failed to trouble Gabonese goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba.

 

Alex Iwobi, marking his 90th international appearance, went close in the 11th minute, before Mbaba denied Bright Osayi-Samuel after a sweeping Nigerian attack.

 

Victor Osimhen, relentless as ever, came agonizingly close three times in five minutes and even thought he had scored when he headed in from close range. However, after consulting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), South African referee Tom Abongile ruled the ball had not crossed the line.

 

Gabon grew into the game after the break, forcing the Nigerian defence into uncomfortable moments. Abongile briefly stopped play to review a potential penalty against Nigeria, but again waved play on.

 

In the 78th minute, Nigeria finally broke the deadlock. Akor Adams capitalized on a poor back pass from defender Aaron Ondele to his goalkeeper, coolly slotting into an empty net to give the Eagles a deserved lead.

 

However, the Panthers roared back in the 89th minute, as Mario Lemina pounced on a loose ball to fire past Stanley Nwabali, sending the tie into extra time.

 

Nigeria’s response was emphatic. In the 97th minute, Wilfred Ndidi dispossessed his marker and slipped a perfect pass to Chidera Ejuke, who calmly slotted beyond Mbaba to restore the lead.

 

Two minutes later, it was Osimhen’s turn — the 2023 African Footballer of the Year collected a pass from teenage sensation Benjamin Fredericks and buried his shot for his 30th goal in 45 appearances for Nigeria.

 

Osimhen wasn’t done. In the 110th minute, he controlled a floated pass with his chest, danced past two defenders, and rifled home for his 31st international goal, closing in on the legendary Rashidi Yekini’s record of 37.

 

Ndidi nearly added a fifth in the dying moments, but Mbaba’s quick reflexes pushed his fierce drive around the post.

 

Nigeria will now face the winner of the Cameroon vs. DR Congo semi-final — ongoing at press time — in Sunday’s Play-off Final at the same venue.

 

NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, praised the team’s fighting spirit after the match:

 

“We are happy with the result. The players rose stoutly to the occasion and made Nigeria proud with a solid performance. No doubt, they have that grit, guts, and winning mentality to conquer whoever turns out to be the opposition in Sunday’s Final.”