By Obinna Uballa
Nigeria’s Super Eagles kept their World Cup dream alive on Thursday night with a dominant 4–1 win over Gabon in their Africa playoff semi-final clash in Morocco.
The match started as a cagey affair, with both teams struggling to convert their chances. It was Akor Adams of Sevilla who finally broke the deadlock in the 78th minute, pouncing on a defensive error to put Nigeria ahead.
Just when it seemed the Super Eagles would coast to victory, Gabon found an equaliser in the 89th minute through Mario Lemina, whose speculative strike took a wicked deflection off Bright Osayi-Samuel to beat Stanley Nwabali and send the game into extra time.
Nigeria regained control in the 98th minute when Chidera Ejuke, also of Sevilla, fired home to restore the lead. The moment, however, belonged to Victor Osimhen, who after missing several opportunities in regular time, roared back to form with a brilliant brace in the 102nd and 110th minutes to seal a commanding win for the Super Eagles.
With the victory, Nigeria advance to the playoff final, where they will face the winner of the second semi-final between Cameroon and Congo.
