Nigeria need extra time before progressing in World Cup playoffs

FIFA World Cup - CAF Qualifiers - Playoffs - Semi Final - Nigeria v Gabon - Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat, Morocco - Nov 13, 2025 Nigeria's Alex Iwobi in action with Gabon's Andre Poko REUTERS/Stringer

Nigeria overcame the distraction of a strike over money to beat Gabon 4-1 in their World Cup African playoff semi-final in Rabat on Thursday, but they needed extra time before running out comfortable victors.

Striker Akor Adams snapped up a shallow back pass from Gabon defender Aaron Appindangoye and caught goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba way out of his goal for an easy tap-in for Nigeria’s opening goal in the 78th minute.

But Mario Lemina snatched an 89th-minute equaliser to take the game into an additional 30 minutes of extra time. A goal from Chidera Ejuke and two from Victor Osimhen made sure of Nigeria's progress to the playoff final in the Moroccan capital on Sunday.

They will take on either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo, who clash in a second semi-final later on Thursday in Rabat.