Nigeria reached the African play-off final for the 2026 World Cup after a dramatic 4 1 extra time victory over Gabon in Rabat on Thursday, Footynaija.com reports.
Victor Osimhen scored twice in extra time to complete a comeback that began when Akor Adams opened the scoring late in the second half and continued after Gabon levelled through Mario Lemina.
The result came after a tense build up in the camp in Morocco, where players staged a brief training boycott over unpaid bonuses and allowances.
Related Post
The standoff was resolved when the NFF president intervened and, as confirmed by Captain William Troost Ekong, the financial issues were settled before the game.
Speaking after the match, Osimhen has said that the squad kept themselves together while at their club sides.
“Whether we trained or did not train, every player was locked in because even when we were at our club side, we spoke with ourselves all the time,” Osimhen told ESPN Africa.
Osimhen added that the players had a close group relationship and that they had been motivating one another during club duties, before paying public tribute to the NFF president for sorting the financial dispute.
“So for me, some things have to be rectified, but I have to say a big kudos to the NFF President. He got into the picture swiftly and got everything sorted which is fine and we are good,” he said.
Nigeria now face DR Congo in the play off final on Sunday in Rabat with coach Eric Chelle overseeing a squad that must recover from extra time exertions and guard against complacency.
The winner will advance to the inter confederation play offs in March 2026 and keep alive hopes of a place at the World Cup in the United States Mexico and Canada.
