Sports
Updated: Finally, Super Eagles pummel Gabon 4-1 World Cup appearance almost guaranteed
After over 120 minutes, Nigeria qualify for 2026 World Cup after pummelling Gabon national team 4-1 in Rabat , Morocco on Thursday.
Gangling Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen silenced the Gabonese scoring the third and fourth goal in the fourth stanza game which finished at a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.
Akor Adams put Nigeria ahead in the 78th minute, but just as the Super Eagles seemed poised for a 1-0 win, Mario Lemina struck for Gabon in the 89th minute, sending the match into extra time.
In extra time, Nigeria regained the lead when substitute Chidera Ejuke scored his first goal for the Super Eagles after 97 minutes.
Osimhen, who squandered a great chance to win the match at the end of regular time, firing wide with only goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba to beat, atoned on 102 minutes, firing across goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba into the far corner after being set up by Benjamin Fredrick.
He struck again on 110 minutes, controlling a long pass before once again beating Mbaba with a shot into the far corner.
The winner will advance to the play-off final to face either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Defending champions Rangers, Inter Lagos and Abia Warriors recorded away wins on Matchday Four of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, on Sunday.
Inter Lagos stunned nine-time champions Enyimba 1-0 in Aba.
Ezekiel Moses scored the decisive goal for the visitors in the 18th minute.
Rangers beat Kun Khalifat FC 4-2 in the Oriental derby at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
Preye Seikorowei, Ayuba Umar, Temitope Folarin and Waheed Adebayo scored for Rangers, while Chimobi Igwilo netted twice for Kun Khalifat.
Abia Warriors recorded their first win of the season, edging past Sporting Lagos 2-0 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.
Ikoi Etta and Emeka Obioma got the goals for Imama Amapakabo’s side.
Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, has revealed that the Spanish club is planning a tribute for Lionel Messi.
Messi played for the Catalans between 2003 and 2021, winning numerous trophies and individual awards.
The Argentina captain left Barca for Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent.
Although he has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team, Messi is still playing his club football with Inter Miami.
Laporta has now confirmed they plan to honour Messi when the Spotify Camp Nou is ready in 2028.
He said: “We are planning for the Leo Messi tribute once the Spotify Camp Nou is completed.
“It will be a beautiful tribute. We hope to complete the stadium by the start of 2028.”
Raphinha continued his extraordinary run of form by scoring a second successive hat-trick as Barcelona defeated Sevilla 3-1 to strengthen their position at the top of La Liga.
The Brazilian winger followed his treble in last Wednesday’s 7-2 victory over Racing Santander with another clinical display at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.
Raphinha now has 14 goals in all competitions this season, while Barcelona have won seven consecutive league matches and eight games in all competitions.
Sevilla took a surprise lead in the 19th minute when Felix Correia delivered a dangerous cross towards the near post, where Youssouf Fofana rose to head past the Barcelona defence.
Their advantage lasted just three minutes.
Raphinha cut inside from the left before calmly finding the bottom corner to restore parity and give Barcelona the platform they needed to take control.
The 29-year-old completed his hat-trick after the interval, with Lamine Yamal playing a key role in both goals.
Yamal’s first contribution came in the 52nd minute when he dribbled away from goal before clipping a cross towards Raphinha, who headed the ball beyond Odysseas Vlachodimos.
The teenage forward was involved once more 17 minutes later, producing an exquisite pass to send Raphinha through on goal.
The Brazilian showed his composure by delicately lifting the ball over Vlachodimos to complete his second hat-trick in the space of five days.
The victory moved Barcelona onto 21 points, giving them a six-point advantage over Real Madrid and third-placed Real Betis, although both rivals had a game in hand.
Real Madrid face city rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday, while Betis travel to Deportivo La Coruna.
Sevilla remained fifth on 13 points despite suffering their latest defeat.
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