Osimhen Opens Up On Missed Chance, Praises Teammates After Super Eagles’ Win Over Gabon

14 Nov 2025, 06:45 by Ernest Victor · Naija News

Galatasaray forward, Victor Osimhen has shared what he told his teammates after failing to bury a late chance in Nigeria’s 4-1 victory over Gabon in the World Cup qualifying playoff semi-final on Thursday.

Osimhen had the game on his boots deep into stoppage time when he raced through on goal, leaving only Gabon keeper Loyce Mbaba between him and what looked like a certain winner. Instead, his effort went wide, handing Gabon one last opening that pushed the match into extra time.

After the final whistle, Osimhen admitted he felt he had let the group down in that moment and wasted no time apologising.

“Just like today, when I missed that kind of opportunity, I was asking my teammates if we were going straight to penalties or if we had extra time,” he said in Rabat.

“They told me there was extra time, and I said to them, ‘I’m so sorry. I’m going to correct it,’” he added.

And he did. The Galatasaray striker found his spark in extra time, scoring twice to put the match beyond Gabon and send Nigeria through to Sunday’s final against DR Congo.

Osimhen later praised his teammates for lifting his spirits after the miss, which could easily have rattled him.

“For me, it’s important to have teammates who motivate you, even when you are the one who usually motivates others,” he said.

“When you are down, they do everything to bring you back up. So for me, kudos to them.”

The 26-year-old will now aim to carry his scoring form into the clash against DR Congo on Sunday as Nigeria look to secure their path toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup.