How I Felt About the Missed Chances – Osimhen Reflects After Inspiring Nigeria’s 4–1 Win
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has opened up about his frustration after missing a crucial chance during Nigeria’s 4–1 extra-time victory against Gabon, but says he is proud of the team’s resilience and mentality in securing the win.
Osimhen, who plays for Galatasaray, recovered strongly from the setback to score twice in extra time as Nigeria booked their place in the African play-off final for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria thought they had sealed the match in regulation time when Akor Adams scored in the 78th minute, but Mario Lemina equalised for Gabon in the 89th minute to force extra time in rainy Rabat. Chidera Ejuke put Nigeria ahead again before Osimhen struck twice to complete the job. Gabon’s only major moment came from a VAR-overturned penalty claim.
Captain William Troost-Ekong, introduced late in the second half, helped stabilise the backline alongside Benjamin Frederick as the Super Eagles took full control in extra time.
Reflecting on his missed one-on-one effort before the final whistle, Osimhen admitted it weighed heavily on him.
“I was gutted as a person and as a striker. I had to keep it moving. It was bad,” he said. “Immediately I missed the opportunity, the referee said we are going to extra time. I told my teammates sorry, I will correct it in extra time.”
He explained how he battled disappointment to deliver when it mattered most.
“If I let it go inside me, I wouldn’t have scored the two goals. As a striker, you score the ones people believe you can’t score and miss the ones people think you can score. I make mistakes as a human, but congratulations to the team.”
Osimhen noted that pressure comes with the job.
“Sometimes I score the goal that no one believes and sometimes I lose the one that people think I’m going to score. But that doesn’t take away. I always have this mentality.”
He praised his teammates for their support and for creating the chances he converted.
“Kudos to the guys who gave me the assist to score those two goals. I’m happy about the mentality of the team, all of us.”
The striker also thanked fans around the world for their unwavering backing.
“Thank you to so many Super Eagles fans all over the world who have scored with us, who have gone through it all with us. This win is also for them.”
Osimhen equally addressed the issue of lasers being pointed at players during the match.
“I actually saw the person pointing lasers at me. The person was in the stand, I couldn’t go there. For me it’s normal. They know the kind of quality we possess; they’re trying to use it to distract so many of us. I just keep it moving.”
Looking Ahead
Nigeria will now face DR Congo in Sunday’s African play-off final, with the winner advancing to the March 2026 Intercontinental Play-offs.
“The next round is not going to be easy either. We will give everything to make sure that we go to the final,” Osimhen said.
The Super Eagles head into the decisive clash with renewed confidence—and with Osimhen back among the goals when it mattered most.
