Former Tremendous Eagles star, Brown Ideye, has mentioned goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali shouldn’t be blamed for Gabon’s equalising aim in Nigeria’s 4-1 within the 2026 World Cup playoff semi-final on Thursday night.
Nigeria certified for the mini-tournament as the most effective runners-up in the principle qualifying collection.
Eric Chelle’s males completed behind South Africa who grabbed the automated ticket from Group C.
In opposition to the Panthers, the Eagles dominated the early exchanges of the sport, however failed to seek out the aim that their dominance deserved.
They had been additionally fortunate to not concede a penalty, after Shiny Osayi-Samuel’s tug on the shirt was scrutinized by means of the VAR pitchside monitor. However the referee determined to not award a spot-kick.
Within the 78th minute of the match, Adams Akor opened the scoring after he pounced on a free ball to attain into an empty internet.
However Gabon levelled 10 minutes later, as Mario Lemina’s deflected effort crept in previous Stanley Nwabali.
Talking on Tremendous Sports activities, Brown Ideye, who was on punditry duties, mentioned that Nwabali shouldn’t be blamed for the aim particularly because it was a deflection.
“Even one of the best goalkeepers will probably be troublesome for them to save lots of that,” Ideye mentioned.
“I feel we are able to’t blame Nwabali for that. You realize, it’s deflation. It may well occur in soccer. You know the way it’s when the goalkeeper is thrashing in his close to submit.
“It’s troublesome guilty Nwabali for that.”
Chidera Ejuke completed off Wilfred Ndidi’s go to revive Nigeria’s lead early within the first half extra-time earlier than Victor Osimhen added a brace.
Nigeria will now face the winner between DR Congo and Cameroon, to say the ticket to characterize Africa on the intercontinental playoffs in March 2026.
