Prolific Nigeria scorer Victor Osimhen could possibly be the important thing determine after they sort out the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday in a combat for 2026 World Cup qualifying survival in Rabat.
The winners of the African play-offs closing advance to a six-nation intercontinental match in Mexico throughout March that entails every soccer area besides Europe.
However the losers will bow out of the competition to be among the many file 48 nations that participate within the world showpiece hosted by america, Canada and Mexico.
Nigeria and DR Congo had been amongst 4 nations given a second probability to qualify after being the most effective runners-up from 9 African teams.
Within the semi-finals on Thursday, Galatasaray striker Osimhen scored twice in further time as Nigeria beat Gabon 4-1 whereas Chancel Mbemba snatched a late 1-0 win for DR Congo over Cameroon.
Osimhen, the 2023 African Participant of the Yr, scored a hat-trick final month in a 4-0 conquer Benin that enabled Nigeria to squeeze into the play-offs.
The 26-year-old, who continues to put on a protecting masks after struggling critical facial accidents 4 years in the past, posed a continuing risk towards Gabon and will have notched six objectives.
On a number of events he got here agonisingly near scoring earlier than, within the final of 12 minutes added time, he fired huge with solely goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba to beat.
“I used to be gutted after failing to attain from that chance. It was a nasty miss,” Osimhen admitted to reporters.
“Generally I rating wonderful objectives nobody expects and, on different events, I miss when folks count on me to attain.
“I apologised to my teammates after that miss and promised to seek out the online in further time, which I did twice.”
Nigeria have certified for the World Cup six occasions in eight makes an attempt since first attaining the feat in 1994.
– ‘Ardour’ –
The Tremendous Eagles have by no means missed back-to-back World Cups since their debut and are determined to atone for a play-off loss to Ghana that disadvantaged them of qualification for Qatar three years in the past.
Nigeria are 19 locations above DR Congo on the planet rankings and favourites to win the conflict of the Tremendous Eagles and the Leopards, however Ivory Coast-born coach Eric Chelle is cautious.
“The victory over Gabon means nothing. We now face formidable opponents in DR Congo and, assuming we win, there can be time to rejoice.
“We are attempting to create an id. My gamers perceive what I would like and are enhancing mentally and technically with every worldwide window.
“The important thing to success over Gabon was ardour. It was about working collectively. We’ve got to rediscover that keenness towards the Congolese,” added the 48-year-old former Mali coach.
Whereas Nigeria have been common members on the four-yearly World Cup, the only real look by the Congolese got here in 1974 when the mineral-rich central African nation was known as Zaire.
French coach Sebastien Desabre has reworked the all the time proficient however typically erratic Congolese right into a combative outfit captained by excellent centre-back Mbemba from Ligue 1 membership Lille.
“We’ve got skilled gamers. What we’re putting in has not occurred in a single day. We’re going to give our all towards Nigeria,” promised Desabre.
Nigeria have been concerned in 16 World Cup qualifying campaigns and DR Congo 12, however the showdown on the 22,000-seat Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium would be the first assembly between them.
Bolivia and New Caledonia have secured intercontinental match locations, Iraq or UAE will characterize Asia and Jamaica and Panama are the frontrunners to be the 2 Central American/Caribbean qualifiers.
The submit Osimhen seeks more goals as Nigeria eye World Cup survival appeared first on Vanguard News.
