Lethal marksman Victor Osimhen struck twice as Nigeria vanquished fellow West Africans Gabon 4-1 in the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs in Morocco.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles dominated the game from the blast of the referee’s whistle this Thursday evening at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, but the dogged Gabonese refused to yield throughout the first half and early into the second stanza of the game.

The goals finally started to come in the 78th minute when Akor Adams broke the deadlock to put Nigeria in front. Victory seemed assured as the minutes ticked away but the Gabonese were back in the game in the 89th minute when M. Lemina’s shot was deflected past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali for the equalizer.

Osimhen had a golden opportunity to seal victory during the last minute of added time but unbelievably shot wide.

It was a different story in the 30 minutes extra as the goals poured in. First, Chidera Ejuke struck in the 97th minute to restore Nigeria’s lead while Osimhen followed with two quick goals in the 102n and 112nd minutes to ice the cake.

Cameroon and DR Congo are currently laying in the other semi-final, with the winner scheduled to play the Super Eagles on Sunday for the solitary African ticket to the inter-continental playoffs in Mexico in March 2026.

The Super Eagles are bidding to return to the World Cup after missing the 2022 edition in Qatar.

The 2026 World Cup is to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.