World Cup (Q): Chelle says passion drove Nigeria to Gabon win

Nigeria national team coach Eric Chelle was left praising his players after they secured a comfortable 4-1 win against Gabon in the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs on Thursday.

The Super Eagles are one win away from the March Inter-Continental Play-Off where six teams will compete for two World Cup tickets, after Victor Osimhen led the way with a brace to settle a tense semifinal at Stade Prince Heritier Moulay Hassan on Thursday.

Akor Adams broke Gabon’s resistance in the 78th minutes, capitalising on a defensive mix-up, but Mario Lemina dragged the Panthers level in the 89th minutes. Chidera Ejuke restored Nigeria’s lead eight minutes into the extra period.

Osimhen took control thereafter: the Galatasaray forward finally converted his pressure into goals with a poacher’s finish on 102 minutes and a solo clincher on 110 to close out a commanding finish from Eric Chelle’s side.

Nigeria players were focused and wanted to win

“I am very proud of these guys (players) because every time they are focused on what I asked, what I want and it show what I want. The word today was the passion, during my speech it was about passion it was the working together to have the same thing,” said Chelle as quoted by Complete Sports.

“So they did it in today’s game but we have a game in two days maybe after the game we can smile. Since I came we try to work, to create an identity. The sport project is very important, the game project too.”

Chelle further praised the Supee Eagles for creating their identity. The Malian coach said: “Like I said the most important is for our team to create an identity. The identity is how we play in defence and how we play in offense.

“So this is why we try every time to improve at every FIFA window. So now these guys they improve mentally, technically and they understand what I want to do for them.”

They will return to Stade Prince Heritier Moulay Hassan on Sunday to face DR Congo, who defeated Cameroon 1-0 in another playoff fixture, for a shot at the FIFA Play-Off Tournament and, ultimately, a place at World Cup 26.