Nigeria vs Gabon (4-1) Osimhen doubles up to seal Nigeria’s win

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are locking horns with the Panthers of Gabon in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff semi-final at the Stade Mohammed V in Rabat, Morocco.

According to a post on the team’s official X handle on Thursday, Wilfred Ndidi captains the side, while Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams lead the attack. Alex Iwobi is set to make his 90th international appearance for Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Starting XI:
Stanley Nwabali (GK); Benjamin Frederick, Zaidu Sanusi, Wilfred Ndidi (C), Calvin Bassey, Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Substitutes: Maduka Okoye, Ola Aina, Frank Onyeka, Michael Onyemaechi, Abdullahi, Moses Simon, Obasogie, Nwadike, Chidozie Awaziem, Olusegun.

Kick-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. Nigerian time, with a win crucial to keep Nigeria’s World Cup hopes alive after a patchy qualifying run.

Live Updates

00’ – Kick-off: The Super Eagles get the game underway in Rabat, as Ndidi leads from midfield.

02’ – Early chance: Nigeria wins a free kick, but Zaidu Sanusi’s delivery goes straight into the hands of the Gabon goalkeeper.

06’ – First booking: Captain Wilfred Ndidi goes into the referee’s book for a reckless tackle on Manga.

14’ – Missed opportunity: A scramble in the Gabon box ends with Osimhen unable to convert. Nigeria pushing for an opener but still goalless.

17’ – Osimhen down after big chance!
A fine passage of play from Nigeria — their best so far. Iwobi drives through midfield and finds Lookman, who picks out Akor Adams with a clever pass.
Adams curls in a cross, Osimhen meets it with a header but nods wide of an open goal after Gabon goalkeeper Mbaba charges out.
Both players collide painfully, and Osimhen is down receiving treatment. The Napoli striker looks shaken but is back on his feet moments later.

20’ – Back in action: Nigeria pressing higher now, with Ndidi dictating play from deep. Gabon struggling to cope with the tempo.

21’ – Mbaba denies Osimhen with a fine stop!
Nigeria turning up the heat now, and it’s that man Victor Osimhen again causing all sorts of trouble for the Gabon defence.

Alex Iwobi floats in a teasing cross from the left edge of the box, and Osimhen meets it with a firm header aimed for the bottom corner.
But Gabon goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba reacts brilliantly, diving low to his right to keep it out.

A fine save, and Mbaba urges his defenders to stay sharp. Intriguing battle shaping up between the two.

24’ – Osimhen again!
Nigeria’s number 9 could easily have had a hat-trick already. Played through down the right, Osimhen bursts into the box at full speed with Ecuele Manga desperately chasing back.

Under pressure, he miscues his shot horribly — a wild shank that flies wide of the post. Should have at least hit the target

29 – Gabon gets their first free kick.

30 – Nigeria 5 shots on target so far!

31′ – Gabon win their first corner of the game

35’ – Referee keeping control of the big calls

That earlier free-kick Gabon protested after the penalty-box scramble looked a little soft, but the ball clearly didn’t cross the line and there was no handball either. South African referee Abongile Tom has handled the big moments well so far.

40’ – Short pause in play
Still goalless as we approach half-time, with added minutes.
Gabon goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba is receiving treatment on what looks like a tight hamstring, possibly just cramp. Both teams use the brief stoppage to regroup and get quick instructions from the touchline.

43’ – Big save from Stanley!
Nigeria nearly punished there, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali comes up huge with a sharp stop to keep it level.

45+5’ – Solid defending from Benjamin Fredrick
Nigeria’s 20-year-old Benjamin Fredrick has impressed again. Making only his international debut in May, the Brentford centre-half was preferred to captain William Troost-Ekong today and showed why. Fredrick was well-positioned to challenge Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, getting a crucial foot in to block a dangerous cross at the edge of the area.

Second-half action heating up

The second half has been lively. Nigeria started brightly with a slick flick from Lookman setting up an early chance, while Gabon quickly countered but could not finish.

51’ – Free kick to Gabon
Gabon earned a free kick in a promising position after Openda was fouled by Zaidu Sanusi on the right flank. The Panthers appealed for a penalty, but the VAR review ultimately sided with Nigeria.

End-to-end play continues
Both teams are pressing for a breakthrough. Nigeria have had several promising moves but have yet to convert, while Gabon remain dangerous on the counter.

60’ – Double substitution for Nigeria

At the hour mark, Nigeria make two changes. Ademola Lookman and the quiet Samuel Chukwueze come off, replaced by Moses Simon and Chidera Ejuke. The pause in play came after Calvin Bassey and Benjamin Fredrick combined well to stop a lively Gabon attack from Bouanga, winning a free kick in the process.

GOAL! Akor Adams Fires Nigeria Ahead

78’ – Nigeria 1-0 Gabon

Akor Adams capitalizes on a costly mistake from the Gabon defence, rounds goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba, and slots the ball home to give Nigeria the lead in this crucial World Cup playoff clash.

Gabon Level Against Nigeria

89’ – Nigeria 1-1 Gabon

Gabon strike late to keep their World Cup hopes alive! Mario Lemina nets a deflected shot to equalise, sending the stands into chaos.

With only minutes left, Gabon must push hard if they want to advance in the 2026 World Cup playoff, while Nigeria will look to regroup and regain control.

FULL TIME: Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
Regulation time ends in a 1-1 draw. Extra time will be needed to separate the two sides.

FIRST HALF OF EXTRA TIME: Nigeria 1-1 Gabon

Nigeria restart as the first half of extra time gets underway. At least 30 more minutes to decide the winner.

GOAL! Chidera Ejuke Gives Nigeria the Lead
Nigeria take the lead in extra time as Chidera Ejuke finishes a well-worked move to make it 2-1 against Gabon.

GOAL! Victor Osimhen Finally Scores as Nigeria Pulls 3-1 Ahead

Another GOAL! Victor Osimhen Doubles Up to Seal Nigeria’s Win

Victor Osimhen scores his second goal of the match in the 110th minute, putting Nigeria 4-1 up against Gabon. The Super Eagles are now virtually through to the World Cup play-off final.