RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Victor Osimhen scored twice in overtime to help Nigeria beat Gabon 4-1 in the semifinal playoffs. 2026 world cup African qualifiers on Thursday.
Nigeria will face Congo in the play-off final on Sunday. In the other semi-final, Congo’s captain Chancel Mbemba scored the winning goal in stoppage time to defeat Cameroon 1-0.
Osimhen, t he is the top scorer In the Champions League, he scored in each half of extra time to give Nigeria the winning goal. All playoff games will be played in Rabat, Morocco.
Africa’s playoff winners will advance to a six-team intercontinental playoff in March, with two teams qualifying for the World Cup.
Bolivia (CONMEBOL) and New Caledonia (Oceania) have already qualified for the play-offs.
The four teams participating in the African playoffs are the highest placed runners-up teams from the nine groups of the African qualifiers. Group winners Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia have already qualified for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Nigeria last qualified for the World Cup in 2018.
The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes. Akole Adams scored a late goal for Nigeria, but Mario Lemina equalized with a deflected shot in the final minute.
Substitute Chidera Ejukwu restored the Super Eagles’ one-goal advantage before Osimhen took charge.
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