Nigeria’s Roar in Rabat: Super Eagles Soar Past Gabon 4-1 in Extra Time

Rabat turned into a cauldron of hope and celebration last night as Nigeria’s Super Eagles delivered a statement performance, conquering Gabon 4-1 in extra time to advance to the next stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoffs. The victory — played out at the Stade Prince Moulay Hassan, Morocco — was more than just three extra goals; it was a surge of character, resilience and Nigerian football identity.

First Half – Controlled but Uneventful

From the kickoff, Nigeria asserted themselves in possession, pressing Gabon high and probing for openings. The early stages saw several promising moments: a header from Victor Osimhen rattled the post in the 17th minute, and his follow-up effort was smartly saved by Gabon’s keeper. Yet, despite the dominance, the Super Eagles couldn’t convert those chances, and the first half ended goalless.

Gabon, meanwhile, waited patiently. They held their shape, absorbed pressure, and threatened on the counter-attack — a strategy that kept Nigeria on edge. But the home of the night belonged to Nigeria in terms of rhythm, though not on the scoreboard.

Second Half – The Deadlock Breaks and Suddenly Shifts

As the second half progressed, Nigeria’s breakthrough came in the 78th minute. A defensive mix-up from Gabon, a loose back-pass from Aaron Appindangoyé, was pounced upon by striker Akor Adams who calmly rounded the keeper and slid the ball home. The relief was palpable, the supporters in orange-green white erupting.

Yet, the momentum slipped. In the 89th minute, Gabon struck back through Mario Lemina — a deflected effort that wrong-footed Nigeria’s keeper, Stanley Nwabali. Suddenly, the tie was level and extra time beckoned. The suddenness of the equaliser jolted Nigeria back into focus: the job was not yet done. 

Extra Time – Eagles Spread Their Wings

With the game heading into extra time, the Super Eagles shifted gear. They looked sharper, more direct, and with an air of inevitability about them. Eight minutes in, substitute Chidera Ejuke restored the lead with a composed finish after a smart forward pass split the defence.

And then Osimhen, ever-present, put the tie beyond doubt. The Galatasaray striker delivered twice in extra time — the first in the 102nd minute, then again around the 110th mark — to seal a decisive 4-1 scoreline. The celebration that followed was the release of pent-up ambition: Nigeria’s march back to the world stage looked real again.

Defensive Backbone and Mid-field Engine

While the goals grab the headlines, this win was built on more than finishing. The defence — marshalled by Benjamin Fredrick and Calvin Bassey — held firm, especially when Gabon mounted late pressure in regulation time. Mid-field maestro Wilfred Ndidi orchestrated the tempo, switching play and unlocking passing lanes that against tired defenders in extra time made a difference.

The tactical setup employed by coach Eric Chelle added structure without stifling flair. Nigeria moved from probing early on to taking control in extra time — a hallmark of maturity in critical matches. The smart substitutions also proved decisive: Ejuke’s introduction brought fresh legs and creativity that tilted the balance.