Nigeria host Gabon today in a defining play-off which will take the winner one step closer to qualifying for the World Cup in 2026.
The Super Eagles endured a poor start to the qualifying campaign but produced a fantastic, and much-needed, winning run in their last few matches to force their way into the play-offs. That included a thrashing of Benin which sent Nigeria into the top two of African qualifying Group C.
They now take on Gabon who easily secured a play-off spot by finishing 12 points ahead of Gambia in Group F. The Panthers missed out on the automatic spot by one point, with Ivory Coast topping the group instead, but they will be confident about today’s encounter.
They are unbeaten in their last seven competitive matches and know that beating Nigeria will put them closer to the World Cup. The winner of this tie will face either Congo or Cameroon in the play-off final, with the winner of that heading to the intercontinental play-offs for a place at next summer’s tournament.
Follow along for the latest updates from the African World Cup qualifying play-offs:
FULL-TIME! Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
That was the last kick of the game! What a golden chance to win it!
We’ll have another 30 minutes to separate these two sides.
Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
90 +11 mins
CLOSE! Oh my word! Nigeria miss a golden chance to win it at the end!
Gabon won a free-kick but the delivery was cleared far too easily and they left Osimhen unmarked and on his own right on halfway!
The through ball is played towards the striker and he latches onto it unchallenged. He races towards the goal and opens up his body to try and slot it past the ‘keeper, but scuffs it and fails to make proper contact, sending it well wide!
Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
90 +9 mins
Nigeria applying all the pressure as we edge towards the end of added time, though Simon sees two corners cleared easily before Gabon win a goal kick.
Extra-time is looming in Rabat!
Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
90 +6 mins
Better from Ejuke and Ndidi to get into the Gabon box before winning a corner.
Lemina is one of a couple of Gabon players receiving treatment before the set-piece can be taken, but both are okay to carry on.
Simon’s delivery is a good one, but Osimhen can’t get the right connection on the header before Nigeria come again.
Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
90 +2 mins
CLOSE! Another great chance for Osimhen as he’s slid through 1-v-1, but he hits it straight at Mbaba, who makes a good save. Not sure if he’d have been flagged offside anyway.
Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
90 +1 mins
We’re into the first minute of 12 at the end of the 90!
GOAL! Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
GOAL! Gabon have the equaliser out of nowhere!
There wasn’t a lot happening but Mario Lemina has popped up to save the dream!
The ball is lumped forward and Osayi-Samuel heads clear but straight to the feet of Lemina. He open his body up and looks to find the corner but it takes a wicked deflection that takes it beyond Nwabali at the near post!
Nigeria 1-0 Gabon
Gabon aren’t hesitating to push bodies forward as they hunt an equaliser, though they’ve had no luck so far.
They need to make sure they’re not vulnerable on the break too, as Osimhen goes for a lob from around halfway!
Gabon make a sub, with Nze Bagnama coming into midfield in place of Ndong.
