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Osimhen brace fires Super Eagles into CAF World Cup play-off final

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Nigeria are one win from the Inter-Continental Play-Off after overpowering Gabon 4–1 in extra time in Rabat, with Victor Osimhen striking twice to settle a tense semi-final on Thursday.

 The Super Eagles will return to Stade Prince Heritier Moulay Hassan on Sunday to face the winner of Cameroon vs DR Congo for a shot at the FIFA Play-Off Tournament and, ultimately, a place at World Cup 26.

Akor Adams broke Gabon’s resistance on 78 minutes, capitalising on a defensive mix-up to round goalkeeper Loyce Marcus Mbaba and roll in the opener.

But Mario Lemina dragged the Panthers level on 89 minutes when his deflected effort wrong-footed Stanley Nwabili to force extra time.

Chidera Ejuke restored Nigeria’s lead eight minutes into the extra period, thrashing home after another incisive forward pass split Gabon’s back line.

From there, Osimhen took control: the Napoli forward finally converted his pressure into goals with a poacher’s finish on 102 minutes and a solo clincher on 110 to close out a commanding finish from Eric Chelle’s side.

It might have been simpler had Nigeria taken first-half chances. Osimhen saw a header whistle wide, then drew a sharp save from Mbaba, who also reacted superbly when a deflection threatened an own goal.

In stoppage time of regulation, Wilfred Ndidi slid a glorious through-ball into Osimhen’s path, only for the striker to miss the chance to win it without extra time.

Gabon’s late equaliser gave the tie a jolt, but Nigeria’s depth and tempo told in the additional 30 minutes.

Ndidi’s progressive passing repeatedly opened lanes, Ejuke’s direct running stretched the Panthers, and Osimhen’s relentlessness finally cracked a tiring defence.

The Super Eagles now stand a match away from the March Inter-Continental Play-Off, where six teams will compete for two World Cup tickets.

Victory on Sunday would move Nigeria closer to a seventh World Cup appearance in their last nine attempts; defeat ends Gabon’s hopes of a first finals berth this cycle.