From culprit to hero in 15 minutes: Osimhen's brace for Nigeria's hope

Off the field pressure, luck, a blunder, controversial VAR check, unbelievable miss and redemption. That would be the shortest possible recapitulation of today’s inter-confederational playoff game for the upcoming World Cup between Gabon and Nigeria. And the main protagonist was Victor Osimhen. The Nigeria’s best footballer and former Serie A player of the year was on the verge of being a the culprit in the 96th minute of the game with an unbelievable miss but in the space of 15 minutes, he became Super Eagles’ hero with a brace which secured Nigeria’s participation in the African playoffs final: Nigeria – Gabon 4-1.

It all started days before the match, when the Super Eagles protested because FIFA appointed Tom Abongile as a referee. South African sports minister openly said he wished Nigeria would not qualify for the World Cup so appointing the referee from that same country to handle the crucial Nigeria match seemed careless by FIFA, but the protests were denied and Abongile was in charge. But, the damage was done as the South African referee was obviously under pressure due to protests. That could be the explanation for his strange decision to deny a clear penalty for Gabon. He stood firm even after a call from the VAR room and after five minutes of watching, decided that his initial decision was right.

When Gabon made a huge defensive mistake minutes later, allowing Nigeria to score, many thought that the game was over. But Gabon responded one minute from time, allowing themselves a chance in the overtime. It was then, in the 96th minute when Osimhen used one of many Gabon’s defensive mistakes and came in front of goalkeeper Mbaba all alone. He missed the goal completely in a really embarrassing moment, but found the mental strength to score two goals in overtime (from much harder opportunities) and give his team more chances to qualify for the upcoming World Cup. It’s an unfair end for Les Pantheres, who were by far the best team of all other countries in the playoffs. Gabon was unfortunate to end up with Ivory Coast in the group and ended as the second team even thou they won eight of their ten Group F fixtures. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted seven goals along the way but he was invincible today and his country is out of competition.

A lack of concentration combined with some good goalkeeping was the main reason why there were no goals after first 45 minutes. From the first minute Nigeria took control and created chances and in the middle of everything was Osimhen who missed no less than three opportunities. All of them happened in the space of seven minutes. In the 17th minute Akor Adams cross the ball to Osimhen but Gabon keeper Mbaba was there to react and the Galatasaray keeper headed the ball wide. Mbaba was there with a fantastic save four minutes later after another Osimhen’s header and in the 24th minute he wasn’t concentrated while taking a shot and the ball went well wide of the goal. The first VAR check happened in the 29th minute when Gabon defender appeared to handball in the penalty area, but it was ruled out. The only chance for Les Pantheres came near the end of the half as Openda cut inside and took a shot but Nwabali gathered the ball with ease at his near post.

Second half was totally opposite as Gabon was the one making chances (but not better than Nigeria’s in the first half). The controversy happened in the 51st minute, when Openda was barged to the floor by Sanusi. VAR called Tom Abongile to check the video, but after five minutes of watching replays, the South African referee decided the contact was not worth the penalty. And then, Appindangoye made that crucial mistake which allowed Adams to score. But just one minute before the official end, Mario Lemina took a shot from the left, the ball kicked the unfortunate Bright Osayi-Samuel and changed direction enough to trick the Nigerian keeper and end at the back of the net for the equalizer. A stunning miss for Osimhen in the sixth minute of injury time could have cost the Super Eagles but the Galatasaray striker made amends in overtime with two excellent goals. But before he scored third and fourth goals for Nigeria, Chidera Ejuke used a great pass from Nididi to get the Super Eagles on the board again in the 97th minute. After that goal, Gabon was definitely out of the game.

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - AFRICA

Play-off semi-finals

Thursday

Nigeria - Gabon 4-1 a.e.t (1-1)

/Adams 78, Ejuke 97, Osimhen 102, 109 - Lemina M. 89/

22.00: (2.35) Cameroon (2.75) DR Congo (3.65)

***odds are subject to change***