Nigeria and Gabon went into the CAF qualifying playoff semi-finals desperate to record the victory and move one step closer to securing their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.
A tense encounter had to wait until the 78th minute to burst into life, with Akor Adams opening the scoring before Mario Lemina sent the game to extra-time with a deflected strike that wrong-footed Stanley Nwabili in the final minute of normal time.
The Super Eagles could have crumbled following that crushing late equaliser, but their attacking talent rose to the occasion as substitute Chidera Ejuke and Victor Osimhen (two) scored crucial goals to send Nigeria into the final with a superb 4-1 victory.
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The extra-time victory means Nigeria now progress into the CAF playoff final, where they will face DR Congo, who dramatically defeated Cameroon 1-0 thanks to a 91st-minute goal from Chancel Mbemba.
Issues Resolved?
Nigeria, with aims of progressing into the intercontinental playoffs with a triumph, will be hoping for a much smoother preparation period before the final than the days before their semi-final clash, as their preparations ahead of the meeting with Gabon had been interrupted due to a standoff between players and the Nigerian federation over unpaid bonuses.
Superstar striker Osimhen has insisted that the Super Eagles are ‘locked in’ following that drama and that the side are eager to qualify for the 2026 tournament after missing out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Sunday’s Final
Looking ahead to the final against DR Congo, Nigeria can expect to face a defensively resolute team who will aim to nullify the attacking talents of the Super Eagles side, although that may be a difficult task against the likes of Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Adams, Samuel Chukwueze and several others.
Nigeria will, however, have to overcome DR Congo for the first time in three meetings if they are to become CAF’s representative in the intercontinental playoffs, as they have failed to win this fixture in either of the last two meetings.
The Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw in their last meeting in May 2018, while they were defeated 2-0 by DR Congo in October 2015, leaving history against Nigeria heading into this meeting.
Regardless of past results, the attacking potency of this Nigeria team means they are capable of beating any side in world football, and Eric Chelle will be looking for his star players to rise to the occasion once again and lead them one step closer to the 2026 tournament.
Bet9ja Odds (at time of writing): Nigeria win: 1.90, Draw: 3.20, DR Congo win: 4.50 (inside 90 minutes)
It’s do-or-die on Sunday for the Super Eagles against DR Congo. Bet on the HUGE clash at Bet9ja now!
1 Comment
by Ayuba sabo
Good afternoon am new here