The Super Eagles need a brace from Osimhen in extra time to eliminate Gabon (4-1). Indomitable Lions defeated with a goal in the 91st minute. Sunday the challenge to decide who will go to the intercontinental playoffs
The final of the African playoffs will be Nigeria-Democratic Republic of Congo. In the two matches in Rabat, Morocco, under pouring rain, the Super Eagles defeated Gabon 4-1 in extra time, while DR Congo surprisingly eliminated Cameroon 1-0 with a goal in added time in regulation. Sunday at 8pm, again in Rabat, the match that will qualify the winner for the intercontinental play-offs, which will be held in Mexico (Gudalajara and Monterrey) in March 2026. New Caledonia and Bolivia are already sure to participate, to which will be added the two best runners-up from the Central American groups (still a very fluid situation) and the winner of Iraq-United Arab Emirates. Yesterday in Abu Dhabi the first leg ended 1-1, the return leg on Tuesday in Basra.
the matches
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On paper, Nigeria should have dominated Gabon with the attacking trio Lookman-Osimhen-Chukwueze. Instead, the Nigerians needed extra time to get through. Adams took the lead in the 78th minute following an unfortunate back pass, Lemina equalized in the 89th minute. In extra time Ejuke and the former Napoli player (who had devoured the winning goal in full injury time) took care of it with a brace to close the score.
However, Cameroon, 8 times at the World Cup, is out. A game that saw the Congolese control the match for a long time and strike in the 91st minute with Lille’s central defender, Chancel Mbemba, appearing at the far post and beating Onana in the corner taken from the right. Now the Kinshasa national team dreams of a return to the World Cup, which it has been missing since 1974, when it was still called Zaire.
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