The Super Eagles of Nigeria have advanced to the final of the African playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after an emphatic 4-1 victory over Gabon in the semi-final clash at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Thursday.

Victor Osimhen was the star of the night, netting a brace, while Chidera Ejuke and Akor Adams added a goal apiece as Nigeria delivered a late flurry in extra time to seal the win.

Osimhen’s double took his international tally to 31 goals, moving him within six of the late Rashidi Yekini’s all-time record of 37 for the Super Eagles.

The build-up to the encounter was not without drama, as the Nigerian players reportedly boycotted one of their training sessions over unpaid allowances. However, once the whistle blew, the team showed little sign of distraction.

Osimhen came close to scoring several times in the opening half-hour, forcing a superb save from Gabon’s goalkeeper, Loyce Mbaba, before missing two other chances. Strike partner Akor Adams also had an early effort denied by the in-form Mbaba, who kept the Panthers in the contest.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 78th minute when a misplaced pass by the Gabonese defence fell to Akor Adams. The forward outpaced Mbaba and calmly slotted the ball into an empty net for his second goal in Nigeria’s colours.

Just as victory seemed certain, Mario Lemina struck an equalizer for Gabon in the 89th minute, pushing the match into extra time.

Nigeria then shifted into another gear, scoring three times within the added 30 minutes. Ejuke registered his first-ever goal for the national team before Osimhen wrapped up the scoring with a quickfire brace, leaving the Gabonese defence in disarray.

With the convincing win, the Super Eagles now set their sights on the final, where they will face either DR Congo or Cameroon on Sunday for a place in the 2026 World Cup.