Nigeria beat Gabon on Thursday to keep their dream of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup alive.
Akor Adams broke the deadlock in the 77th minute, but Mario Lemina’s deflected effort in the 89th minute forced the second round semi-final play-off into extra-time where Eric Chelle’s side took full control.
Chidera Ejuke restored the lead with a cool finish before Victor Osimhen finally got on the scoresheet, helping himself to a brace as the Super Eagles took the game away from the Panthers.
As a result, Nigeria have sealed their place in Sunday’s play-off final where they will face DR Congo after they beat Cameroon in the other semi-final thanks to a dramatic winner from Chancel Mbemba in the 91st minute.
Should Nigeria win that fixture then they will secure a place in a six-team inter-confederation play-off to be held in Mexico in March, with two qualification spots up for grabs.
The Super Eagles guaranteed themselves a play-off spot in dramatic fashion last month by beating Benin 4-0 in the final match of the first round qualification section.
Frank Onyeka scored the decisive goal in injury time following Osimhen’s superb hat-trick to set up a semi-final showdown with a Gabon side who won eight of their ten matches in the group phase.
After a cagey start in Rabat, Nigeria took control and were unlucky to have not scored at least once during a ten minute spell as Osimhen saw three golden chances go begging.
The in-form Galatasaray striker was off target with two efforts - the latter due to being off balance at the crucial moment - and saw his header superbly saved by Loyce Mbaba.
Gabon were certainly the better side in the early stages of the second half and felt that had a strong claim for a penalty when Aaron Appindangoye was having his shirt pulled in the area by Bright Osayi-Samuel in the box.
However, following a lengthy VAR review, the Panthers were not awarded a penalty.
Appindangoye was then at fault for Gabon falling behind, but despite Lemina’s equaliser, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and company saw their World Cup dream come to an end.
