Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen delivered a heroic performance, scoring a crucial brace to power Nigeria to a 4-1 extra-time victory over Gabon in a tense World Cup playoff semi-final clash. The win, secured on November 15, 2025, propels Nigeria into the final against DR Congo, keeping their dreams of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.
Lemina's Heartfelt Message to Osimhen
Despite being on the losing side, Gabon's Mario Lemina, who is Osimhen's teammate at Galatasaray, showed immense sportsmanship. After the final whistle, Osimhen took to his Instagram story to post a picture with Lemina, writing, "I love you brother." Lemina responded in kind on his own social media, praising Osimhen and promising his support for the Nigerian team.
"Congratulations! One of us, you or me, would have been upset after the match, and this time it was me," Lemina wrote. "With all my respect and love, brother, I’ll be watching and supporting you from the stands." This heartfelt exchange between club teammates, who battled fiercely for their respective countries, has been widely praised by football fans.
High-Stakes Final and Suspension Risks
The Super Eagles are now set to face the Leopards of DR Congo in the final of the World Cup playoff on Sunday, November 16, at 8 PM (Nigeria time). The match will be held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. However, the Nigerian camp faces a significant challenge ahead of the decisive encounter.
Eight key players, including match-winner Victor Osimhen and defensive stalwart Calvin Bassey, are walking a disciplinary tightrope. They are all one yellow card away from a suspension that could rule them out of a potential Intercontinental playoff match, a major blow to Nigeria's World Cup aspirations.
What's at Stake for the Super Eagles
The winner of the Nigeria vs DR Congo final will secure Africa's single ticket to the Intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March 2026. In that tournament, the final two spots for the 2026 World Cup, to be hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, will be contested. The Super Eagles are now just one victory away from taking that critical step towards global football's grandest stage.
