Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has expressed satisfaction with the performance of the players after their 4-1 win over Gabon in the CAF World Cup playoffs on Thursday, SportPremi reports.
Both teams alongside Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo had booked their spots as one of the best-ranked second placed teams after the conclusion of the group stages.
The October FIFA rankings had been used to determine the fixtures, with Nigeria to play Gabon and Cameroon to play DR Congo, with the winner of both encounters facing off in a one-off final match on Sunday.
DR Congo also claimed a last-gasp 1-0 win over Cameroon, scoring through Chancel Mbemba in stoppage-time to secure victory.
Nigeria book spot in playoff final
Nigeria had thrashed Benin Republic 4-0 in their final group match to book their spot and were massive favorites going into the clash against Gabon.
Head coach Eric Chelle started with an attacking lineup, determined to avoid a shock result.
The Super Eagles dominated the first half, but were denied by Loyce Mbaba in the Gabon goal.
Victor Osimhen, who had scored a hat-trick in the win over Benin, was particularly guilty with two missed chances.
The Panthers were denied a penalty early in the second half despite an on-field review by the center-referee.
An errant back pass by a Gabonese defender was intercepted by Akor Adams and with the goalkeeper in no man’s land, the Nigerian forward slotted into an empty net to give his side a 1-0 lead in the 78th minute.
In a surprise twist, the Panthers who had created very little all evening grabbed an equalizer late on through Mario Lemina, whose effort took a deflection and beat Stanley Nwabali.
Victor Osimhen then had the best chance and last of the game when one-on-one with the Gabon goalkeeper, but he blazed wide off the mark as the game went into extra-time.
Chidera Ejuke, who had come on earlier in the second half, put Nigeria through early in extra-time, before Osimhen atoned for his miss with two additional goals to send his side through to the final.
Everything Eric Chelle said
Eric Chelle, who took over the dugout of the Nigerian national team earlier this year, has seen a great upturn in results with the nation on the brink of the World Cup.
The former Mali coach expressed satisfaction with the performance against Gabon and demanded more from his players ahead of the final clash on Sunday.
“I’m very proud of these guys because every time, they stay focused on what I ask and what I want — and they show it on the pitch”, the Nigerian head coach revealed.
“Once again, the word for today was passion. During the team talk, it was about passion, working together, and having the same mindset. They did it.
“But the reality is that this is nothing yet, because in two days we have another game. Maybe after the second game, we will go home with a smile”, he added.
Nigeria will now prepare to battle the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final on Sunday, with the winner advancing to the intercontinental stages.
