Rabat, Morocco – As the rain-soaked pitches of Stade Mohammed V in Rabat still echo with the cheers from Thursday's dramatic semifinal, Nigeria's Super Eagles stand tantalizingly close to reclaiming their place on the global stage. Victor Osimhen, the Galatasaray talisman and undisputed leader of the three-time African champions, has once again fired up the nation's football faithful with a passionate plea for World Cup glory. "We can get it done," Osimhen declared to ESPN after the 4-1 extra-time triumph over Gabon, underscoring the depth and determination within the squad. "We have the squad to actualize this dream of going to the World Cup because everyone wants to go to the World Cup."
The Super Eagles' journey to this juncture has been anything but straightforward, marked by the scars of past failures and the grit of recent redemption. Nigeria's absence from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar remains a festering wound for a football-mad nation that last tasted the tournament's magic in Brazil 2014. That heartbreaking miss – sealed by a controversial late penalty in a playoff loss to Ghana – left fans disillusioned and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) under fire. The Eagles, who had qualified for six straight World Cups from 1994 to 2018, plummeted to their lowest ebb, finishing a dismal fifth in their CAF qualifying group amid coaching carousel and internal strife.
Fast forward to November 2025, and the narrative has flipped. Under the steady hand of Éric Sékou Chelle – the Malian tactician who became the first non-Nigerian to helm the Super Eagles earlier this year – Nigeria has clawed back from the brink. Chelle, appointed in January amid skepticism over his lack of prior experience with the three-time Africa Cup of Nations winners, has engineered an unbeaten run in five competitive outings, transforming a fractious camp into a cohesive unit. His arrival followed a turbulent period that saw two managerial changes and a string of draws that nearly derailed the campaign. Yet, a 91st-minute miracle against Benin in October secured second place in Group C on goal difference, propelling them into these high-stakes playoffs.
The semifinal against Gabon encapsulated the resilience that now defines this team. Played under persistent downpours at the Moroccan venue – a neutral ground chosen by CAF for logistical ease – the match teetered on a knife's edge. Akor Adams, the Lille forward enjoying a breakout season, pounced on a goalkeeper blunder to give Nigeria a 1-0 lead in the 78th minute. But Gabon's Aaron Boupendza leveled in the 89th, forcing extra time after 12 minutes of stoppage – a testament to referee Tom Abongile's cautious approach amid the slippery conditions.
Enter Osimhen, the 26-year-old phenom whose eight goals in six qualifiers have single-handedly carried the attack. In the seventh minute of extra time, Chidera Ejuke – on loan at Sevilla from CSKA Moscow – unleashed a curling rocket to break the deadlock. Osimhen then struck twice in quick succession: first rifling a low drive past Anthony Mfa Mezui after a deft turn, then sealing the rout with a clinical finish from the edge of the box. The second goal prompted Osimhen to tear off his protective face mask – a necessity since a July facial injury – and shirt in unbridled joy, a moment that went viral across social media. Gabon's stars, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Bouanga, who combined for 15 group-stage goals, were neutralized by a backline marshaled by 20-year-old sensation Benjamin Fredrick, whose composure belied his age.
This wasn't just a win; it was cathartic. Coming just days after a training boycott over unpaid bonuses – a saga resolved only 24 hours before kickoff – the performance silenced doubters. "Despite the problems," former Eagles striker Victor Ikpeba tweeted, hailing the squad's mental fortitude. Osimhen himself credited the dressing room's unity, telling reporters: "Kudos to them, they motivate me." Even a bizarre laser pointer incident aimed at Osimhen during the match – which he later confirmed spotting in the stands – couldn't derail the momentum.
Now, the stakes escalate exponentially. On Sunday, November 16, at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex in Rabat – kickoff 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT) – Nigeria faces the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a winner-takes-all final. The Leopards, coached by Frenchman Sébastien Desabres, stunned pre-tournament favorites Cameroon 1-0 in their semifinal on Friday, courtesy of a stoppage-time header from captain Chancel Mbemba. It's DR Congo's first World Cup appearance since 1974 (as Zaire), fueling a nation's 51-year quest for redemption.
Head-to-head history offers little comfort: the teams have split six prior meetings 3-3, with their last encounter a 1-1 friendly in 2018. DRC arrives with threats like Cedric Bakambu and Fiston Mayele, who excel on counters against Nigeria's high press. Mbemba's aerial prowess and midfield dynamo Cédric M'Bemba will test the Eagles' set-piece defending, while Desabres' pragmatic setup mirrors Gabon's resilience.
For Nigeria, challenges loom. Midfield linchpin Wilfred Ndidi is suspended after a semifinal booking, thrusting Frank Onyeka or Joe Aribo into a pivotal role. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali's fitness is in doubt following a knock, potentially handing the gloves to debutant Ojo Olorunleke. Captain William Troost-Ekong, ever the voice of reason, acknowledged the test: "Congo will be difficult to beat... but we all want to go to the World Cup." Chelle, meanwhile, radiated confidence: "The boys are fired up... I am confident they will do better than against Gabon."
Osimhen's words to ESPN cut through the buildup noise, encapsulating a collective hunger forged in Qatar's ashes. Since returning from injury in March, he's been a one-man crusade, scoring in five straight qualifiers and embodying the "give everything" ethos he preached earlier this year. Teammates like Ademola Lookman (Atalanta's Serie A standout) and Alex Iwobi (Premier League veteran) provide the flair, while defenders Zaidu Sanusi and Calvin Bassey offer Serie A solidity.
The 2026 World Cup, expanded to 48 teams across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, dangles an extra African slot – one that Nigeria covets to join powerhouses like Senegal and Morocco. Victory on Sunday catapults the Eagles into March's intercontinental playoff, a six-team shootout for two final berths. Fans, from Lagos markets to diaspora hubs in London and Houston, are mobilizing: broadcasts on SuperSport, GoTV, and FIFA+ promise packed viewing parties.
As Osimhen peels off his mask for the final time this weekend, Nigeria's dream hinges on unity – the same force that turned chaos into conquest against Gabon. In a tournament defined by expanded horizons, the Super Eagles eye not just qualification, but a legacy of resurgence. Rabat awaits; history beckons.
