By SCM Sports Writer in Rabat
RABAT, MOROCCO – It might be 3,000 miles from Lagos, but the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, felt like a Nigerian fortress last night as the Super Eagles clinched a dramatic 4-1 extra-time victory over Gabon, soaring into the CAF World Cup Playoff Final.
The stunning semi-final win, fuelled by a Victor Osimhen brace, was a tribute to the team’s relentless spirit, but the true talking point is the unlikely North African venue that is hosting this crucial final-stage mini-tournament.
The Moroccan Magic Carpet: Rabat Steals the Show
The action-packed match was played out on a sodden pitch at the Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan (Moulay Hassan Stadium) in the Moroccan capital. With FIFA regulations meaning neither Nigeria nor Gabon could host the tie on their home soil, the neutral venue in Rabat—already earmarked to host the Africa Cup of Nations later this year—provided a suitably grand, if slightly rain-lashed, stage.
The atmosphere crackled under the Rabat lights, with an impressive turnout of Nigerian fans making the long journey to roar their team on. This Moroccan venue, a late substitute for the usual home-and-away format, proved its worth by delivering a classic African showdown, underscoring Rabat’s growing reputation as a top-tier host for continental football.
Osimhen Seals the Deal After Late Drama
Normal time finished 1-1, thanks to a 78th-minute opener from Akor Adams and a heartbreaking 89th-minute equaliser by Gabon’s Mario Lemina. The tension was suffocating as the game was forced into extra time.
However, the extra 30 minutes belonged entirely to the Super Eagles, who showed ruthless finishing that left the Panthers of Gabon stunned. Chidera Ejuke restored the lead in the 97th minute, before the Galatasaray superstar Victor Osimhen took centre stage.
Osimhen, the current African Footballer of the Year, grabbed his first in the 102nd minute before sealing the comprehensive 4-1 scoreline with a magnificent solo effort in the 110th minute.
The victory means Nigeria now head back to the Moulay Hassan Stadium on Sunday to face the winner of the Cameroon versus DR Congo tie for a chance to move to the inter-continental World Cup Play-off in March.
Final Score (AET): Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
(Adams 78′, Ejuke 97′, Osimhen 102′, 110′ | Lemina 89′)
