Nigeria beat Gabon to keep alive 2026 World Cup hopes

Nigeria advanced to the final of African play-offs for the 2026 Fifa World Cup following a dramatic 4-1 win over Gabon after extra time.

Chidera Ejuke and Victor Osimhen struck in the first period of added time after the match in Rabat had ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.

Osimhen ripped off his protective face mask and shirt to celebrate his goal - no doubt partly in relief after the striker had squandered a glorious chance to win it for the Super Eagles in the 12th minute stoppage time at the end of the game.

The Galatasaray man grabbed his second goal of the evening five minutes after the extra-time break to make sure of victory.

Nigeria, who enjoyed the better of the semi-final tie, had seemed on course to win in regulation time after Akor Adams pounced on a poor back pass to give Eric Chelle's side the lead in the 78th minute.

But Gabon levelled in the 89th minute through Mario Lemina's deflected shot to send the game to extra-time, before the Panthers were eventually undone by clinical finishing from their West African rivals.

Nigeria will face either Cameroon or DR Congo in Africa's play-off final on Sunday (19:00 GMT).

The winners of that match will then progress to a six-team intercontinental qualifier, which will be held in March and will determine the final two qualifiers for next year's World Cup.