Nigeria vs Gabon live updates: Extra time looming in World Cup 2026 qualifier after Lemina equaliser – The New York Times

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Gabon have equalised to make it 1-1 against Nigeria in the play-off semi-final of African qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Akor Adams got the opening goal in the 78th minute, finishing into an empty net after a really poor pass from Aaron Appindangoye. But Gabon were on level terms 10 minutes later as Mario Lemina's effort was deflected into the bottom corner.
The game will head to extra time — and then penalties if required — if it finishes level after 90 minutes.
The winners of this match advance to Sunday's final against Cameroon or DR Congo, with a place in March's intercontinental play-off on the line.
90+6' Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
Nigeria attack, Mario Lemina goes down, but we play on and it's a Nigeria corner.
Bent in, Ejuke has a few attempts to cross from the right, another corner.
Gabon backs against the wall in the Rabat rain here.
90+3' Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
After that very long VAR check and a couple of injuries, we have 12 minutes of time added on to the 90 before we get to extra time.
Plenty of time for either side to find a winner…
Lemina equalises with a deflected effort and this stadium has erupted.
He celebrates directly in front of Nigeria's bench and the fans behind Stanley Nwabali's goal go mad.
It looks like we might be heading for extra time.
90' Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
Wow. Again, it's a goal out of nothing.
A long ball from Gabon, nodded sideways and it fell for Mario Lemina.
Lemina took a touch, just inside the box on the left corner, and struck it hard and low towards goal.
It looked to be heading straight down Nwabali's throat but the ball deflected horribly (from a Nigerian perspective) off the defender and it spun past the goalkeeper, who was powerless to stop it.
Gabon's players mob Lemina.
89' Nigeria 1-1 Gabon
I don't believe it!
Gabon's World Cup dream is still alive!
Mario Lemina with the deflected strike and it's bedlam in the stands!
88' Nigeria 1-0 Gabon
The downside of conceding so late for Gabon is that they have so little time to find an equaliser.
If they want to make the 2026 World Cup, it's pretty much now or never.
85' Nigeria 1-0 Gabon
Off for Gabon, midfielder Didier Ndong.
Samake Nze Bagnama on in his place.
83' Nigeria 1-0 Gabon
Nigeria bring on Brentford's Frank Onyeka to beef up the midfield, taking off striker Akor Adams.
Adams has only scored twice for his club Sevilla since joining from Montpellier in January but has a crucial strike here.
What a blow for Gabon.
That is a cruel way to concede and it was entirely a mistake of their own making.
Clinical from Adams to pounce there.
82' Nigeria 1-0 Gabon
Poor Aaron Appindangoye — he will surely be unable to get that mistake out of his mind.
Indeed, several team-mates had to drag him to his feet, so distraught was the defender after giving away that goal.
80' Nigeria 1-0 Gabon
What a defensive howler. What a costly mistake.
Under little to no pressure, centre-back Aaron Appindangoye passed it back in search of his goalkeeper but it was misplaced and woefully short.
Goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba was slow to react, caught in two minds on whether to stay on his line or come for the ball and in the end did neither.
Nigeria striker Akor Adams, who has been so quiet so far today, simply latched onto it and touched it around him before rolling the ball into the empty net with his left foot.
78' Nigeria 1-0 Gabon
A defensive disaster for Gabon and Nigeria lead!
Akor Adams with the goal!
76' Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
The other player involved in that collision, Openda, is off at right wing-back for Noha Lemina, who is the younger brother of midfielder Mario and joins his sibling on the pitch.
Defensive midfielder Andre Poko is off for teenage forward Bryan Meyo, who plays for Lyon's reserve team.
An attacking swap and one that will see a change to a 3-4-3 shape, I reckon.
The first half an hour of this game was largely played on Nigeria's terms, but they have struggled to maintain that level of control.
A huge amount of credit must go to the Gabon players for the impact they have had in stifling their opponents' rhythm, but it will be cause for concern for Eric Chelle.
It is hard to see how this Nigeria side will win the other three matches they need for a place at the World Cup if they are struggling against this Gabon team.
74' Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali looks to be in trouble. I don't think he's going to be able to continue.
He took his time to clear a few minutes ago and the long ball was blocked by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Just then, Royce Openda closed him down from the right and slid in to try to intercept and the players collided.
Nwabali landed awkwardly and though he initially asks for a change, with backup Maduka Okoye warming up, he seems to have changed his mind.
72' Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
The energy has dipped a bit.
I expect there will be some more substitutes introduced before too long to liven things up.
Moses Simon just ran the ball straight out of play, though.
68' Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
… and still no goals.
Big favourites Nigeria could be getting a little nervy.
The match is becoming more attritional and it feels as if a single goal will be enough to win it.
Extra time and penalties will be used to separate the sides, if needed.
63' Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
The charging Ekomie is brought down by Wilfred Ndidi.
Bent in from the left by Bouanga, Osimhen — wearing his black protective face mask — nods it behind.
Corner, and Fredrick heads it out for a corner on the other side. Nwabali thinks that was already out! Another from the left again…
Easily claimed by Nwabali, who sets Calvin Bassey free.Big switch of play to Ejuke, good cross but 37-year-old Gabon captain Ecuele Manga pokes it behind.
60' Nigeria 0-0 Gabon
Calvin Bassey is a strong lad, isn't he.
Bouanga with a lively dribble forwards but Bassey and Fredrick crowd him out and Bassey holds him off in the corner, winning the free kick.
That pause in play allows Nigeria to make a double change on the hour mark, both wingers in straight swaps.
Off come Ademola Lookman and the largely anonymous Samuel Chukwueze, on come Moses Simon and Chidera Ejuke.

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