Super Eagles duo Troost-Ekong and Chukwueze react to Osimhen's injury-time miss against Gabon

Super Eagles stars William Troost-Ekong and Samuel Chukwueze have shared their candid reactions to Victor Osimhen’s dramatic stoppage-time miss against Gabon, a moment that briefly stunned the crowd before the striker redeemed himself with two extra-time goals in Nigeria's 4–1 victory in Thursday’s World Cup playoff semi-final.

Osimhen had the chance to win the match deep into added time when he broke free for a one-on-one opportunity against Gabon goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba. 

With fans rising to celebrate what seemed a certain winner, the Galatasaray forward dragged his effort narrowly wide, forcing the game into extra time.

Chukwueze admitted he was already anticipating a celebration run before the unexpected miss.

"I was running with him when he was with the ball. I was running. I even run past the pitch,” the Fulham winger said with a smile to ESPN FC.

"But uh it's football — sometimes it happens. Everybody know he can score that kind of goal but it happens. He gave us two goals later, so it’s fantastic. Everything is possible."

Troost-Ekong revealed that he had been fully confident Osimhen would convert.

"Yeah, you know when I saw him running at the goalkeeper I was sure he was going to score,” the Super Eagles captain said. 

"But after that, we tried to encourage him and make sure he wasn’t disheartened."

Osimhen himself admitted the moment weighed heavily on him, even if only for a few seconds.

"I was gutted, you know. But as a person and as a striker, I had to keep it moving. 

"Immediately I missed the opportunity, I saw the referee say we’re going into extra time. I told my teammates, ‘I’m sorry, guys. I will correct it in the extra time," Osimhen stated. 

He explained that dwelling on the miss would have prevented him from producing the decisive response Nigeria needed.

"If I let this get into my head, I don’t think I’d be able to grab those two goals. Sometimes as a striker, you score the one people believe you cannot score and then you miss the one people say you can score. I’m human. I make mistakes. I just had to keep it moving."

Osimhen's  extra-time brace proved pivotal. He first smashed home Nigeria’s third goal after brilliant work from Benjamin Fredrick, then connected perfectly with Chidozie Awaziem's cross in the 110th minute to complete the scoring.

The win sends Nigeria into Sunday’s playoff final against DR Congo, who  defeated Cameroon 1–0 in the other semi-final game on Thursday.

Wale Adejumo

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