Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, praised his side for a “passionate” performance in seeing off Gabon 4-1 in their World Cup qualifying play-off encounter.
The Super Eagles broke the deadlock against the Panthers at the Moulay Hassan Stadium through Akor Adams after 78 minutes.
Mario Lemina found a late equaliser with his goal on 89 minutes to take the tie to extra time.
Chidera Ejuke then gave Nigeria a 97th-minute advantage, and Victor Osimhen sealed the result with two late goals after 102 and 110 minutes.
Chelle said on Complete Sports after the game: “I am very proud of these guys because every time they are focused on what I ask, what I want, and it showed what I want.
“The word today was the passion. During my speech, it was about passion, it was about working together to have the same thing.”
Nigeria’s next face the Democratic Republic of Congo, who beat Cameroon 1-0 in their semi-final, for a place in the six-team intercontinental qualifier, which will be held in March.
“So they did it in today’s game, but we have a game in two days, and maybe after the game we can smile,” Chelle added.