Super Eagles qualification Push gains Tinubu’s backing after 4-1 win over Gabon as Nigeria heads into Sunday’s playoff final

The Super Eagles qualification Push received a powerful boost on Thursday as President Bola Tinubu urged the national team to remain unyielding in their quest for a place at the 2026 World Cup.

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The President’s rallying call came after Nigeria’s dramatic 4-1 extra-time victory over Gabon in the African playoffs.

The match tested Nigeria’s resolve until the closing stages. Akor Adams broke the deadlock in the 78th minute, yet the Panthers forced extra-time when Mario Lemina’s deflected strike levelled the tie with seconds remaining.

The setback only seemed to fire up the Super Eagles, who surged back with decisive quality.

Chidera Ejuke restored Nigeria’s lead in extra-time with his first goal for the national team. Victor Osimhen then delivered a stunning brace, taking his international tally to 31 goals in 45 caps, and sealing a win that was as commanding as it was emotionally charged.

Tinubu, reacting shortly after the final whistle, praised the team’s grit, describing their fightback as a powerful display of Nigerian resilience.

He wrote on his X account that the Eagles must not relent until qualification is fully secured and urged them to keep soaring with national backing firmly behind them.

The victory followed a turbulent build-up. The Super Eagles had been disrupted by a bonus dispute with the Nigeria Football Federation, leading players and officials to boycott Tuesday’s training session. Their preparations were reduced to a single full practice before the match.

Nigeria will now face DR Congo or Cameroon in Sunday’s final. The winner will earn a place in the FIFA inter-continental playoffs scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico, where two additional tickets to the World Cup will be contested.

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The Super Eagles are navigating the playoff route after missing out on automatic qualification earlier in the campaign, and the team now stands one decisive victory away from keeping their World Cup dream alive.