Osimhen seeks more goals as Nigeria eye World Cup survival

JOHANNESBURG: Prolific Nigeria scorer Victor Osimhen could be the key figure when they tackle the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday in a fight for 2026 World Cup qualifying survival in Rabat.
The winners of the African play-offs final advance to a six-nation intercontinental tournament in Mexico during March that involves each football region except Europe.
But the losers will bow out of the contest to be among the record 48 nations that take part in the global showpiece hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Nigeria and DR Congo were among four countries given a second chance to qualify after being the best runners-up from nine African groups.
In the semifinals on Thursday, Galatasaray striker Osimhen scored twice in extra time as Nigeria beat Gabon 4-1 while Chancel Mbemba snatched a late 1-0 win for DR Congo over Cameroon.
Osimhen, the 2023 African Player of the Year, scored a hat-trick last month in a 4-0 triumph over Benin that enabled Nigeria to squeeze into the play-offs.
The 26-year-old, who continues to wear a protective mask after suffering serious facial injuries four years ago, posed a constant threat against Gabon and could have notched six goals.
On several occasions he came agonizingly close to scoring before, in the last of 12 minutes added time, he fired wide with only goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba to beat.
“I was gutted after failing to score from that opportunity.

It was a bad miss,” Osimhen admitted to reporters.
“Sometimes I score amazing goals no one expects and, on other occasions, I miss when people expect me to score.
“I apologized to my teammates after that miss and promised to find the net in extra time, which I did twice.”
Nigeria have qualified for the World Cup six times in eight