Osimhen’s Extra-Time Double Sends Nigeria Into World Cup Playoff Final Against DR Congo
Nigeria booked a place in the African 2026 World Cup playoff final after a 4–1 extra-time win over Gabon on Thursday, with Victor Osimhen scoring twice to seal the Super Eagles’ passage. They will face the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday in Rabat, where a spot in next year’s inter-continental qualifying tournament is at stake.
Osimhen Rescues Nigeria After Late Gabon Equaliser
Osimhen, named African Player of the Year in 2023, missed a golden opportunity to win the match at the end of normal time when he steered wide with only goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba to beat. But the Napoli forward made amends early in extra time, driving Benjamin Fredrick’s pass across Mbaba for Nigeria’s second in the 102nd minute.
He struck again eight minutes later, controlling a long ball before curling into the far corner to put the Super Eagles out of reach. Substitute Chidera Ejuke had restored Nigeria’s lead in the 97th minute, scoring his first international goal just moments after Mario Lemina’s 89th-minute equaliser forced extra time.
Akor Adams had earlier broken the deadlock for Nigeria in the 78th minute, intercepting a misplaced Gabon pass and rounding Mbaba to score. The Super Eagles dominated long spells of the first half, with Osimhen twice heading narrowly off target and denied a penalty after a VAR review of a handball appeal.
A second VAR check on the hour—this time for a potential pull by Nigeria full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel—also went Gabon’s way, but the referee declined to award a penalty. Lemina’s equaliser carried a stroke of fortune, with the midfielder’s shot deflecting past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali into the corner.
Nigeria, seeking a seventh World Cup appearance, now stand one win from advancing to March’s six-team inter-continental playoffs. Two African teams will emerge from that field to join the expanded 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
DR Congo Edge Cameroon in Rain-Soaked Semi-Final
DR Congo set up Sunday’s final after Chancel Mbemba scored in added time to defeat Cameroon 1–0 in heavy rain. The Marseille defender pounced in the first minute of stoppage time to settle a tight match between two evenly ranked sides.
Opportunities were scarce throughout. Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo came closest for Cameroon, dragging a low shot narrowly wide in the second half. At the other end, veteran Cedric Bakambu forced a smart save from goalkeeper Andre Onana, who pushed his effort behind for a corner.
DR Congo are aiming to reach the World Cup for only the second time, their first appearance dating back to 1974 when the country competed as Zaire.
Road to 2026: What Comes Next
The winners of Sunday’s Nigeria–DR Congo final will join the inter-continental playoff tournament in March, where Bolivia, New Caledonia, and either Iraq or UAE are already confirmed, along with two qualifiers from the Central America/Caribbean zone. European teams do not participate in this stage.
Africa’s nine automatic qualifiers—Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia—have already secured their tickets to the 2026 finals.