Nigeria vs Gabon: Fredrick Ends Ekong’s Reign As Osimhen Goes From Villain To Hero

Benjamin Fredrick announced himself again on the big stage, Victor Osimhen silenced his critics after early misses, and Nigeria booked their place in the next round of the World Cup playoffs with a commanding win over Gabon.

It’s almost surreal to think Benjamin Fredrick only made his first competitive start for the Super Eagles two months ago against Rwanda. The 20-year-old on-loan Brentford defender played with the maturity of a veteran, dictating calm from the back and making decisive interventions when it mattered.

Against Gabon, Fredrick’s poise under pressure stood out. At one point, instead of hoofing the ball away under pressure, he calmly recycled possession, a decision that showed confidence and tactical awareness. He completely nullified Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, denying the Gabonese captain any real sight of goal.

Fredrick’s assured performance might just signal a quiet end to William Troost-Ekong’s era as Nigeria’s defensive leader.

Chelle’s Gamble On Two-Man Midfield

Coach Eric Chelle stuck with his risky two-man midfield of Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, a setup that helped Nigeria dominate possession but left worrying gaps whenever Gabon countered.

The Panthers lacked the quality to exploit those spaces, but a stronger team would have punished Nigeria’s looseness between the lines. Chelle’s insistence on leaving Ndidi on after his early yellow card was another gamble. The decision could have backfired, yet Ndidi eventually justified his manager’s faith by assisting Chidera Ejuke for Nigeria’s second goal.

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Still, Chelle’s tactical stubbornness remains a talking point. The system works for now, but against better opposition, adaptation will be non-negotiable.

Osimhen’s Redemption Arc

Victor Osimhen’s night began with frustration. The Galatasaray striker squandered multiple chances, including a one-on-one miss just before full-time with the scores level at 1–1. For a player of his calibre, it was the kind of miss that could haunt a team’s campaign.

But champions respond, and Osimhen did. In extra time, after Ejuke restored Nigeria’s lead, Osimhen rediscovered his lethal edge, scoring twice to seal victory and redeem himself. From villain to hero, he embodied Nigeria’s fighting spirit.

Ademola Lookman’s place on the left wing suddenly looks uncertain. The Atalanta forward has struggled for form in recent games, and Ejuke’s explosive cameo against Gabon might force Chelle’s hand.

The CSKA Moscow man brought fresh energy, directness, and an end product, scoring one and assisting another. For a team with attacking depth, Ejuke’s form is a welcome selection headache for the coach.

Nigeria’s victory over Gabon was as much about resilience as it was about renewal, a glimpse of a new generation emerging, with Fredrick marshalling the backline and Osimhen proving once again that redemption stories are written by those who never stop trying.