Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has revealed the confident promise he made to his Nigerian teammates after a shocking last-minute miss, a vow he spectacularly fulfilled by scoring two extra-time goals to keep Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup dream alive against Gabon.
In a tense CAF World Cup play-off semi-final in Rabat, Nigeria eventually triumphed 4-1, but the victory was forged in drama. After Akor Adams put Nigeria ahead late in normal time, a deflected goal from Mario Lemina pulled Gabon level. The match seemed destined for penalties when Osimhen was sent through on goal in the 12th minute of stoppage time, only to fire his one-on-one chance wide in a horror miss.
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Instead of letting the error crush him, the Napoli star immediately regrouped. Speaking to ESPN Africa after the match, Osimhen disclosed the decisive message he delivered to the squad. “I was gutted,”** Osimhen admitted. “After I missed the opportunity, I saw the referee said we were going into extra time. I told my team-mates I’m sorry guys, I will correct it in extra time.”
True to his word, Osimhen was magnificent in the additional 30 minutes. After Chidera Ejuke restored Nigeria's lead, Osimhen sealed the victory with a stylish brace, showcasing the mental fortitude of a world-class striker. He was even booked for his passionate shirt-off celebration after putting the game beyond doubt.
The striker explained his ability to bounce back, stating, “If I let it get into my head, I don’t think I would have been able to grab those two goals... I’m human, I make mistakes, which is normal. For me, I just had to keep it moving.”
The match was also marred by lasers being shone from the crowd, but Osimhen remained unfazed. “I actually saw the person pointing the laser at me,” he said. **“But the person was in the stand, I couldn’t go there. For me it’s normal... I just keep it moving.” With this victory, Nigeria will now face DR Congo in the final for a chance to advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.
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