WCQ: Super Eagles Move One Step Closer

The Super Eagles of Nigeria moved one step closer to their target thanks to a 4-1 win over Gabon.

Nigeria moved a step closer to their target of reaching the 2026 World Cup in North America after breezing past Gabon 4-1 in Morocco.

The Nigerian team entered the encounter as favourites, having made it to this stage following a last day hammering of Benin Republic in Nigeria.

The first half was dominated by the Super Eagles who threw everything at the Gabonese side but couldn’t find the cutting edge.

The tempo died down a bit in the second half as Gabon grew into the game, having a share of the possession which was mostly controlled by the Super Eagles in the first half.

With just under fifteen minutes left to play in the second half, totally against the run of play, Akor Adams pounced on a defensive error from the Gabonese defence to round the keeper and send Nigeria on their way to the final on Sunday.

However, Mario Lemina will equalize for Gabon just one minute before the ninetieth to drag the game to extra time.

Chidera Ejuke finished off a beautiful pass from Wilfred Ndidi to put Nigeria back in front and Victor Osimhen finally got his much awaited goal to double the lead before the end of first half extra time.

Osimhen scored again in second half extra time to put the game to bed and send Nigeria to Sunday’s final against the winner of the tie between Cameroon and DR Congo.

The winner of the African playoffs advances to the Intercontinental Playoffs to be held in America next year.