African Football Discussion Thread Current Topic: 👉 AFCON 2025/2026

[Adbitco]

The Nigerian team has given the Gabonese players mountain to climb and from the look of things they cannot climb this very mountain set by Nigeria tonight. I left the match and came to this thread to make a comment then it was still 1 - 1, you can guess how surprised I was when I tuned back on and saw Nigeria 3 Vs Gabon 1. What, what happened, how did it happen? I wasn't even gone for long and boom 2 goals already from a team that struggled to score 1 in whole 90 minutes. Well that's football for you, were 20 seconds is enough to win a match.

[Slow death]

There is no hope for Nigeria to qualify again. M. Lemina from Gabon has scored the second goal in the match and after the goal, Nigeria became serious to attack again. The referee add 12 minutes. But if they play penalty, Nigeria will win the match. Victor Osimhen cannot score the ball in one on one with the Gabon goalkeeper just now which would have been the last goal of the match. Now they are going to play extra 30 and if they play draw again then penalty kick will take place.

It was a glorious chance that Victor Osimehn had to win the game for Nigeria especially in the last minute of the game but he spurned it, he didn’t even shoot directly to the post instead it was shot outside the post. It was a very clear opportunity for him as he was left with only the Gabonese goalkeeper but he missed the opportunity. The game is now headed to additional 30 minutes, had it been Osimehn scored the goal it would’ve been the end of the game.

Everyone in Nigeria can celebrate now, because Victor Osimhen scored the third goal for Nigeria and the score is 3-1 for Nigeria. I think it's impossible for Gabon to tie the game. Nigeria's victory is guaranteed. Congratulations Nigeria, they deserve this victory!

Indeed they deserve the win and the job is done for this time but not entirely finished because the play offs continues as they still have one game to play and that would be the team that wins from the fixture between Cameron vs Dr congo, I don't think this win is worth the celebration yet because alot can still happen as they would or might get something either than winning in the next game which can just overshadow the whole celebration this night if that actually happens.

It would have been worse if they had lost, but with this victory they have hope of qualifying, because in my opinion Gabon was more problematic than Cameroon or Congo. I think Nigeria can beat Cameroon or Congo without much difficulty. I don't see Nigeria losing to Cameroon, I don't see Nigeria losing to Congo. Today's victory sounds like almost guaranteed qualification. Cameroon is unstable and so is Congo. If Nigeria loses against Cameroon or Congo it would be a very bad joke.

[Slimzeee]

My highlight of the game in case you missed it.

We played very well in the first half, but unfortunately, it wasn't our call.
Second half, Gabon came fully into the game and dominated, although they couldn't see the net early too until the error from Gabon's defender gave Nigeria the goal.

The equalizer was caused by a deflection and sloppy defending, but there was nothing the keeper could have done in that situation.

The game can be renamed as Osimhen's redemption because the big miss at the last minute of normal time would have had his neck on a stick, but his two goals in extra time helped seal the game after Ejuke regained us our hope in the 97th minute.

Nwabali has been solid, but I think his confidence is getting too much, and he really needs competition, as Maduka Okoye hasn't given us that belief that he is ready to be a solid and reliable person. Nwabali should be careful honestly.

Final score: Nigeria 4 - 1 Gabon

[Coin_info]

The game can be renamed as Osimhen's redemption because the big miss at the last minute of normal time would have had his neck on a stick, but his two goals in extra time helped seal the game after Ejuke regained us our hope in the 97th minute.

Those were two important games, he needed that goal not just to help us move to the finals on Sunday but to also regain his confidence in front of goal. The goals he scored, the two were world class! should the real striker instincts and finishing. This version of Osimhen is what we need in the finals on Sunday, we the ruthless striker! I commend the coach because I see good improvements in the team. He may actually be the one to take us to the world cup.

[Proty]

It would have been worse if they had lost, but with this victory they have hope of qualifying, because in my opinion Gabon was more problematic than Cameroon or Congo. I think Nigeria can beat Cameroon or Congo without much difficulty. I don't see Nigeria losing to Cameroon, I don't see Nigeria losing to Congo. Today's victory sounds like almost guaranteed qualification. Cameroon is unstable and so is Congo. If Nigeria loses against Cameroon or Congo it would be a very bad joke.

it is not true congo and Cameroon are even more stronger when compared to  Gabon. Gabon I think this should be there first of coming this far and they were able to hold Nigeria to a draw. Nigeria meeting any of this two clubs, Cameron or Congo the match will be a tough one. The supper eagle really needs to step up in there pattern of play. If not for the additional 15 minutes they missed so many opportunities. Even oshimen missed one on one , a goal that would have ended the match at exactly 90 minutes.

[uche6215]

It would have been worse if they had lost, but with this victory they have hope of qualifying, because in my opinion Gabon was more problematic than Cameroon or Congo. I think Nigeria can beat Cameroon or Congo without much difficulty. I don't see Nigeria losing to Cameroon, I don't see Nigeria losing to Congo. Today's victory sounds like almost guaranteed qualification. Cameroon is unstable and so is Congo. If Nigeria loses against Cameroon or Congo it would be a very bad joke.

I follow this match from beginning to the end. Gabon played well in the first half and in the second half. Though they're more on defensive in the second half but the extra time, they became weak and as of that time that the Super Eagles became strong. I also give up hope of Nigeria qualifying again after Victor Osimhen missed the last minute goal. But he became the man of the match again. And now that Nigeria has qualified in the world cup. How to scale through in the group stage of the main World Cup Tournament is the next thing for them to do. And Nigeria used to give heart attack in that stage.

Congratulations to them.

[Mayor of ogba]

There is no hope for Nigeria to qualify again. M. Lemina from Gabon has scored the second goal in the match and after the goal, Nigeria became serious to attack again. The referee add 12 minutes. But if they play penalty, Nigeria will win the match. Victor Osimhen cannot score the ball in one on one with the Gabon goalkeeper just now which would have been the last goal of the match. Now they are going to play extra 30 and if they play draw again then penalty kick will take place.

It was a glorious chance that Victor Osimehn had to win the game for Nigeria especially in the last minute of the game but he spurned it, he didn’t even shoot directly to the post instead it was shot outside the post. It was a very clear opportunity for him as he was left with only the Gabonese goalkeeper but he missed the opportunity. The game is now headed to additional 30 minutes, had it been Osimehn scored the goal it would’ve been the end of the game.

I was happy when Victor Osimhen got the chance at the last minute of the match, and I believed Victor Osimhen would win the match for us, but I was so surprised when Victor Osimhen shot the ball wide when he should have buried the ball at the back of the net. Yes, if Victor Oshimen had scored that goal, there's no way Nigeria and Gabon could have played an additional thirty minutes. But I am happy Victor Osimhen scored two goals in the additional minutes and make up for his late miss.

[IceLincoln]

Congratulations to Super Eagles and all Nigerian falls one step taken in the long stride to the World Cup. It was a well contested match though the Super Eagles were superior throughout but had hard time getting the goals even Victor Osimhen missed a lot of chances that could have ended the game in regular time. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang was no where to be found, the best Gabonese player was Mario Lemina who finally got the goal that raised their hopes up to be walloped by the Nigerians after. Victor Osimhen’s last goal was pure class maybe he’s tired of scoring easy goals cos he could have had atleast 5 goals today but finally he still showed he got it.
Chidera Ejuke got his first goal for the Super Eagles today, a very important goal that gave us the lead before Osimhen gave us the further 2 goals cushion.
The player that impressed me the most is the new Benjamin Frederick boy was a solid rock with good ball control and technique, the future is bright for the Eagles.
NFF should better take care of this boys if they want us to qualify for the World Cup .

Sunday we know if we will represent Africa

[Tonimez]

Victor Osimhen is writing his name on the sands of time. He keeps pulling up suprises and I guess he may strip every record held by any former players. He is a goal poacher and a warrior. How super eagles crushed Gabon in 30 minutes is very pathetic. I pity poor Aubameyang who boasted to beat Nigeria in this game.

Someone like Adams definitely deserves some accolades for setting the pace for the victory. Super eagles have done noble and I hope the win the finals. The world cup qualifiers is getting more heated and this is a pure game of survival of the fittest. Congratulations to the super eagles as the keep flying the flag.

Nigeria super falconets already lifted their U20 trophy today to further prove that Nigeria is the giant of Africa. More heights to the teams and I wish victor Osimhen would be there in the world cup finals.

[Adbitco]

Nigeria 4 - Gabon 1 AET

Everything was wrapped up in that 30 minutes of Extra time, Osimhen is on fire again as he nets a brace this time around. In their last game against Benin Republic it was a hat trick and a brace for him today. That's 5 goals in two matches for his country. After the goal at 78 minutes, I thought it was all over not until Gabon equalised and brought the match to extra time were they were then thrashed.

[Marykeller]

Nigeria would have defeated this match with this die minute, and this extra time won’t have been given, victor just missed our lucky chance that would have make us to defeat Gabon without stress, if Nigeria team fail to strategize for this extra time they lose the match, Nigeria keep has already sustained injury and looking at the goal keeper is not that active to secure one goal in a penalty kick because of the injury he sustained, if Nigeria team should add more effort they will score goal

It was in the extra time that the Super Eagles decided to put all efforts to win Gabon. To show them that they are a better team than them, to hold to a draw match that would lead to penalty shootout.

Anyway, I don't think, any of us saw the 4-1 winning coming from the Super Eagles against Gabon. It was all like, the Super would disappoint us, to make us calculate as usual for another chance of World Cup qualification to pop up so that they can be favored, which will not be the case this time because anything like calculation in this case won't happen. Any of country team that loses their match, they lose their chances of qualifying for the World Cup

[ajanwalker]

The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, and the match went to extra time.
Osimhen scored twice in extra time, including one from Ejuke, as Nigeria defeated Gabon 4-1 and advanced to the final.
They now await their opponent in the final.
Cameroon and DR Congo face off, and the score is 0-0 in the final minutes of the first half.
This match also has a high probability of going into extra time.
The Nigerian players avoided the dispute with the federation and secured a victory, advancing to the final.

[Charles-Tim]

It was really good that the match did not get to penalty. We played them, we supposed to have won before 90 minutes but it can happen like this. After extra time was good as Chidera Ejuke scored, Victor Osimhen netted 2 more. I predicted that Nigeria will qualify an we qualified. It is really nice so much.

[Agbe]

Nigeria 4 - Gabon 1 AET

Everything was wrapped up in that 30 minutes of Extra time, Osimhen is on fire again as he nets a brace this time around. In their last game against Benin Republic it was a hat trick and a brace for him today. That's 5 goals in two matches for his country. After the goal at 78 minutes, I thought it was all over not until Gabon equalised and brought the match to extra time were they were then thrashed.

Great performance from Nigeria as they were superb in the game. Even though they could not finish the game in regular time they were able to do it in extra time this is one step closer for Nigeria to make it to the world cup. Nigeria problem has been not holding on to their lead when they are ahead in a game and it showed today again as they let Gabon back to the game in the dieing minutes of the.Let see  which country will qualify between DRC vs Cameroon so we can prepare for the game on Sunday but on a overall performance it was a good game from Nigeria.

[Hyphen(-)]

Victor Osimhen is writing his name on the sands of time. He keeps pulling up suprises and I guess he may strip every record held by any former players. He is a goal poacher and a warrior. How super eagles crushed Gabon in 30 minutes is very pathetic. I pity poor Aubameyang who boasted to beat Nigeria in this game.

Someone like Adams definitely deserves some accolades for setting the pace for the victory. Super eagles have done noble and I hope the win the finals. The world cup qualifiers is getting more heated and this is a pure game of survival of the fittest. Congratulations to the super eagles as the keep flying the flag.

All the players really tried despite the limited training they had together because we have seen it in social media that they miss training, but their teamwork today was very good, if they can keep up like this, they will win their next two games that will secure them the World Cup spot; and we might play well in the World Cup.

And to Eric Chile, he is doing good job, as a coach, he is making the right decision most times and he knows how to use his players; he can do well if we qualify to the World Cup as well.

Nigeria super falconets already lifted their U20 trophy today to further prove that Nigeria is the giant of Africa. More heights to the teams and I wish victor Osimhen would be there in the world cup finals.

Osimhen and any other players deserve the same respect in these qualifiers because the zeal in them said it all, they wants to win and they won.

World Cup is not a small competition, it is the greatest competition in this world; therefore it will never be easy. Although we are hoping to see our country go far as well because we also have good squad.

[Ruttoshi]

It was really good that the match did not get to penalty. We played them, we supposed to have won before 90 minutes but it can happen like this. After extra time was good as Chidera Ejuke scored, Victor Osimhen netted 2 more. I predicted that Nigeria will qualify an we qualified. It is really nice so much.

What a mess. Gabon should have allowed the match to end in favor of Nigeria when it was 1-0 because they cannot keep up their pace till 120 minutes. Look at how Nigeria  flooded their goal post with extra goals that they couldn't score during the normal 90 minutes.

Nigeria got it right in the extra time. Osimhen was able to put himself together and proved to be an outstanding striker that we know him to be. He scored  the last two goals for Nigeria to seal up their victory. This is Super Eagle performance since the beginning of this tournament.

[Mayor of ogba]

It would have been worse if they had lost, but with this victory they have hope of qualifying, because in my opinion Gabon was more problematic than Cameroon or Congo. I think Nigeria can beat Cameroon or Congo without much difficulty. I don't see Nigeria losing to Cameroon, I don't see Nigeria losing to Congo. Today's victory sounds like almost guaranteed qualification. Cameroon is unstable and so is Congo. If Nigeria loses against Cameroon or Congo it would be a very bad joke.

it is not true congo and Cameroon are even more stronger when compared to  Gabon. Gabon I think this should be there first of coming this far and they were able to hold Nigeria to a draw. Nigeria meeting any of this two clubs, Cameron or Congo the match will be a tough one. The supper eagle really needs to step up in there pattern of play. If not for the additional 15 minutes they missed so many opportunities. Even oshimen missed one on one , a goal that would have ended the match at exactly 90 minutes.

Even though this is the first time Gabon is coming this far in World Cup qualifiers, Gabon is a better team than Cameroon and Congo in the World Cup qualifiers. If Nigeria plays against either Cameroon or Congo in the play off final, it will be a smooth sailing for the Super Eagles because Cameroon and Congo are not as strong as Gabon in the World Cup qualifiers.

[Fiatless]

The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, and the match went to extra time.
Osimhen scored twice in extra time, including one from Ejuke, as Nigeria defeated Gabon 4-1 and advanced to the final.
They now await their opponent in the final.
Cameroon and DR Congo face off, and the score is 0-0 in the final minutes of the first half.
This match also has a high probability of going into extra time.
The Nigerian players avoided the dispute with the federation and secured a victory, advancing to the final.

Victor Osimhen rescued himself after several misses. The match would have ended in normal time because the Galatasaray striker had about four chances to score, but he fired blanks in all. The game in the extra time was tense, and Nigeria was able to maximize the opportunities they had. The dispute between the Nigerian Football Federation and the players was settled and the boys gave their best. They would have to wait for the outcome of the second semi-final game.

[Oluwa-btc]

It was really good that the match did not get to penalty. We played them, we supposed to have won before 90 minutes but it can happen like this. After extra time was good as Chidera Ejuke scored, Victor Osimhen netted 2 more. I predicted that Nigeria will qualify an we qualified. It is really nice so much.

Hard way  they say is the best way then so be it. We should have buried that game long in the second half of the game but Victor Osimhen  failed to convert that chance. It gladdens my heart he was able to score two solid goals in the end. He is a true definition of a fighter and a champion. These two goals scored will silence the criticism he should have faced online tonight. Cameroon 🇨🇲 tonight and I'm glad to see Bryan Mbeumo play. First 45  around the corner and the score still level (0-0).

[Silikiem]

There is no hope for Nigeria to qualify again. M. Lemina from Gabon has scored the second goal in the match and after the goal, Nigeria became serious to attack again. The referee add 12 minutes. But if they play penalty, Nigeria will win the match. Victor Osimhen cannot score the ball in one on one with the Gabon goalkeeper just now which would have been the last goal of the match. Now they are going to play extra 30 and if they play draw again then penalty kick will take place.

It was a glorious chance that Victor Osimehn had to win the game for Nigeria especially in the last minute of the game but he spurned it, he didn’t even shoot directly to the post instead it was shot outside the post. It was a very clear opportunity for him as he was left with only the Gabonese goalkeeper but he missed the opportunity. The game is now headed to additional 30 minutes, had it been Osimehn scored the goal it would’ve been the end of the game.

I was happy when Victor Osimhen got the chance at the last minute of the match, and I believed Victor Osimhen would win the match for us, but I was so surprised when Victor Osimhen shot the ball wide when he should have buried the ball at the back of the net. Yes, if Victor Oshimen had scored that goal, there's no way Nigeria and Gabon could have played an additional thirty minutes. But I am happy Victor Osimhen scored two goals in the additional minutes and make up for his late miss.

It’s good to see that Victor Osimehn have redeemed himself by scoring two goals in the additional 30 minutes after he missed the chance to win the game at normal full time. Honestly when I saw Osimehn in that one on one situation with the Gabonese goal Keeper I already started celebrating but sometimes football can be crazy. Even the two goals he later scored were from a more difficult angle when compared to the one on one chance he missed, but above all it was an excellent performance from him in the final 30 minutes as he was able to put the miss behind him and got two goals later. With this result now the momentum of the team has increased as they look forward to playing against the winner between Cameroon and Dr Congo in the finals of the African playoffs.