Victor Osimhen and Chancel Mbemba were the heroes as Nigeria and Congo DR set up a mouth-watering CAF play-off final with respective eliminations of Gabon and Cameroon. Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles and Sebastien Desabre’s Leopards will now collide at the Stade Prince Heritier Moulay Hassan in Rabat on Sunday to determine which nation represents Africa in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament. There, six sides will strive for two tickets to FIFA World Cup 26™.
Nigeria 4-1 Gabon (AET)
Nigeria goals: Adams (78), Ejuke (98), Osimhen (102 & 110)
Gabon goal: Lemina (89)
Victor Osimhen struck an extra-time double to power Nigeria into the decider and end Gabon’s hopes of reaching a first World Cup. Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles will now return to the Stade Prince Heritier Moulay Hassan in Rabat on Sunday to play the Cameroon-Congo DR winners for a FIFA Play-Off Tournament place. There, six sides will strive for two tickets to FIFA World Cup 26™.
Osimhen had three headed opportunities in the first half. The first flashed narrowly wide, the second forced Loyce Marcus Mbaba into a smart push round the post, and the third would have prompted an own-goal had it not been for the remarkable reflexes of the Gabon goalkeeper.
Nigeria finally made the breakthrough when Akor Adams capitalised upon a defensive mix-up, rounded Mbaba and stroked the ball into the empty net. Gabon nevertheless leapt up on the count on nine, Mario Lemina’s deflected shot wrongfooting Stanley Nwabili and finding the bottom corner. Osimhen, following a palatial through-ball from Wilfred Ndidi, then missed a glaring chance to snatch victory in the final moments of normal time.
Another excellent pass from the midfielder didn’t go unrewarded in extra-time, Chidera Ejuke lashing it home. Osimhen then found his shooting boots, bagging a finisher’s first and a solo second to make sure Nigeria moved another step closer to a seventh World Cup qualification from their last nine attempts.
Cameroon 0-1 Congo DR
Congo DR goal: Mbemba (90+2)
Chancel Mbemba’s 11th-hour goal kept Congo DR on course to reach a first World Cup in 52 years and knocked out continental colossuses Cameroon.
Congo DR had the better chances of tense first half at the Stade El Barid, but Charles Pickel and Theo Bongonda failed to trouble goalkeeper Andre Onana. The Cameroon No23 was examined shortly after the restart, and passed with a wonderful denial of Cedric Bakambu.
Bryan Mbeumo then charged through the Congolese defence but stabbed the ball narrowly wide under pressure from Lionel Mpasi. At the other end, Fiston Mayele’s dazzling footwork made space for a shot, but his limp attempt didn’t trouble Onana. Etta Eyong then produced a fine save from Mpasi and volleyed over from close range.
The Leopards made the Indomitable Lions pay for wasteful finishing when, on the brink of another 30 minutes being booked, Mbemba stabbed a corner home at the back post.
📸 Photos courtesy of the CAF
