Victor Osimhen scored twice in extra time to fire Nigeria past Gabon 4-1 in a CAF 2026 World Cup playoff semifinal, booking a meeting with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the final.
Osimhen, named African Player of the Year in 2023, had missed a late opportunity in normal time when he blazed wide with only goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba to beat. He made amends in extra time: on 102 minutes he finished across Mbaba into the far corner after a pass from Benjamin Fredrick, and on 110 minutes he controlled a long ball and slotted home a second to seal the victory.
The game was 1-1 after 90 minutes. Nigeria took the lead on 78 minutes when Akor Adams pounced on a misplaced Gabon pass, rounded Mbaba and scored. Gabon levelled deep into stoppage time through Mario Lemina’s deflected effort in the 89th minute that beat Nigeria keeper Stanley Nwabali. Shortly after full time, substitute Chidera Ejuke restored Nigeria’s advantage with his first goal for the Super Eagles on 97 minutes, before Osimhen wrapped up the win in extra time.
Earlier, Osimhen had been lively, heading wide twice in the first half and seeing a handball claim reviewed by VAR and dismissed. There was another lengthy VAR check around the hour mark when Gabon appealed for a penalty after alleging that full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel had pulled Aaron Appindangoye’s shirt in the box; the referee ultimately turned down the appeal.
In the other semifinal in Rabat, DRC beat Cameroon 1-0 in heavy rain thanks to captain Chancel Mbemba’s late header in the first minute of added time. The contest was cagey with few clear openings — Bryan Mbeumo came close for Cameroon and veteran Cedric Bakambu was denied by Andre Onana — until Mbemba’s decisive intervention.
Nigeria and DRC will face off on Sunday in Rabat for a place in the six-team FIFA intercontinental playoff tournament in March. This African playoff featured the four best group runners-up; the two winners of the playoff finals will advance to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Several teams from other confederations are already confirmed for the intercontinental playoffs, including Bolivia and New Caledonia. Asia’s representative will be either Iraq or the United Arab Emirates, and two spots will come from the Central America/Caribbean region. European sides are not part of this route.
Nine African nations qualified directly as group winners: Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia. Nigeria will be bidding for a seventh World Cup appearance, while the DRC aim to return for only their second finals since competing as Zaire in 1974.
