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Nigeria 4-1 Gabon (Nov 13, 2025) Game Analysis – ESPN

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Nigeria 4-1 Gabon (Nov 13, 2025) Game Analysis – ESPN


Victor Osimhen scored an extra-time brace and Chidera Ejuke added a goal to give Nigeria a 4-1 win over Gabon in the CAF World Cup playoff semifinals in Rabat, Morocco, on Thursday.

Nigeria, who finished in second place in their group during CAF qualifying and were forced into the playoff route to reach the World Cup, will face Congo DR on Sunday hoping to clinch a spot in the six-team inter-confederation playoff in March.

The Super Eagles opened the scoring late in the second half of a tense, back and forth affair when Akor Adams pounced on a wayward pass by the Gabon defense, rounded the keeper and finished into an open net.

With time running out on Gabon, Mario Lemina‘s shot from the left side of the penalty area deflected off a Nigerian defender and beat keeper Stanley Nwabali at his near post to level the score.

Nigeria star Osimhen missed two golden chances to seal the win for the Super Eagles in second-half added time as the game went to extra time where Osimhen and Ejuke put their team through with a pair of well-taken goals. Red-hot Galatasaray striker Osimhen then added his second goal in extra time to put the game well out of reach for Gabon.

The Super Eagles preparation for Thursday’s semifinal had been interrupted by a standoff between players and the Nigerian federation over unpaid bonuses. However, that was resolved on Wednesday, with team captain William Troost-Ekong posting on social media: “We are together and, as before, focused on the games ahead!”

Nigeria missed out on the 2022 World Cup after losing to Ghana in that cycle’s qualification playoff. Gabon has never qualified for a World Cup final.



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First Test: Abbas strikes thrice, Rahim stands firm for Bangladesh at lunch

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First Test: Abbas strikes thrice, Rahim stands firm for Bangladesh at lunch


Pakistan’s Mohammad Abbas (left) appeals during  first Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on May 9, 2026. X@@TheRealPCB

Mohammad Abbas picked up all three wickets to fall in the morning session, but Mushfiqur Rahim’s resilience ensured Bangladesh reached 380-7 at lunch on Day 2 in the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday.

Resuming at 301-4, Bangladesh lost Litton Das for 33 as Abbas struck early to reduce the hosts to 338-5. The experienced pacer then struck again to remove Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 10, further slowing the scoring.

Abbas completed his three-wicket haul just before the lunch interval, dismissing Taijul Islam for 17.

Despite wickets falling at regular intervals, Rahim anchored the innings with a composed and controlled knock, keeping Bangladesh steady under pressure. At lunch, he was unbeaten on 71 alongside Ebadot Hossain, who had yet to score.

Bangladesh had dominated the opening day after being asked to bat first, finishing at 301-4 in 85 overs.

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto scored a commanding 101 off 130 balls, while Mominul Haque added a fluent 91 off 200 deliveries. The pair stitched together a crucial 170-run partnership after early wickets from Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali reduced Bangladesh to 31-2.

Pakistan’s bowlers shared the wickets, but struggled with consistency and discipline, conceding 31 extras across the innings.





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Terrell Owens declares he ‘couldn’t care less’ about the Cowboys years after tumultuous exit

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Terrell Owens declares he ‘couldn’t care less’ about the Cowboys years after tumultuous exit


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Former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens spent three seasons of his 16-year Hall of Fame career with the Dallas Cowboys.

Although 16 seasons have passed since Owens played in the league, his time with the franchise famously dubbed “America’s Team” remains memorable. Owens first played for the Cowboys in 2006, before abruptly exiting after the 2008 campaign.

This week, Owens briefly revisited his time wearing “The Star” on his helmet, but he made it clear the team has not been at the front of his mind for quite some time. “I don’t concern myself with the Cowboys,” Owens told the Action Network.

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas, on Nov. 27, 2008. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Owens then suggested the less-than-harmonious feelings are mutual, saying: “The Cowboys haven’t concerned themselves with me since I left there. That’s speaking of Jerry Jones or anybody really from that organization… The way things ended there with the Cowboys, I couldn’t care less. I have nothing to say about them.”

JOURDAN LEWIS BECOMES LATEST FORMER COWBOYS PLAYER TO VOICE FRUSTRATION WITH TEAM

Owens signed a three-year deal with the Cowboys in 2006 and was rewarded with a three-year contract extension in 2008. Around the time of his March 2009 release, reports suggested he had become a source of tension inside the Cowboys’ locker room.

He was cut roughly two months after Dallas finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs. Dallas struggled offensively at times that season, though Owens still totaled 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns. Those were considered productive numbers by any standard, but they also marked his lowest totals in three seasons with the Cowboys.

Owens’ connection with then-offensive coordinator Jason Garrett also came under scrutiny during his stint with the team.

Terrell Owens and Jason Garrett talking on the sidelines

Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett talks to Terrell Owens during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas, on Nov. 23, 2008. (Getty Images)

Owens joined the Buffalo Bills after he parted ways with the Cowboys. Despite snapping his streak of three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons during his lone year in Western New York, Owens praised Buffalo, describing it as a rare NFL market that still embraces him years after he left.

“The Buffalo Bills have been very gracious in inviting me out and involving me in some of their community initiatives,” Owens said. “I went there for a couple of games and for Thurman Thomas’ jersey retirement.”

Terrell Owens acknowledges the crowd at Highmark Stadium

Former wide receiver Terrell Owens gestures to the crowd before the game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Dec. 6, 2021. (Rich Barnes/USA TODAY Sports)

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Owens appeared in 14 games with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010, marking his final NFL season. He was a five-time All-Pro selection and six-time Pro Bowler during his standout career.

He skipped the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremonies in Canton, Ohio, in 2018, choosing instead to hold his own ceremony at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

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Former South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia changes his approach on mental health amid cancer battle

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Former South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia changes his approach on mental health amid cancer battle


Former South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia is currently battling for his life after being diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer.

The diagnosis came after noticing certain abnormalities, but the hard-nosed former athlete thought he could figure out the issues on his own without a visit to the doctors. His wife wasn’t comfortable with that plan from the quarterback, who used to take snaps for a Steve Spurrier-led offense led offense in Columbia.

Reluctantly, Garcia went in for a colonoscopy where doctors discovered the cancer, and that it had been growing for a number of years.

Unfortunately, Stephen wasn’t fully grasping the news when first given, due to him still being somewhat groggy from sedation.

Coaches push for 24-Team CFP, as college football heads towards participation trophy territory

Stephen Garcia of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks to pass against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Sept. 10, 2011. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

But, when it was finally explained to him how serious this situation was, reality set in pretty quickly.

Obviously, there’s nothing simple about hearing the word ‘cancer,’ no matter which stage or form you are dealing with. It will humble you quickly, with the grim outlook overtaking the mind.

And while this process to fight the disease will be tough, filled with many obstacles, Garcia was most worried about his family.

While his older son understands the magnitude, he has yet to fully inform his youngest daughter, which led to the former Gamecock shedding a few tears while discussing the situation with OutKick on Friday morning.

 

Former Gamecock has changed his tune amid battle with cancer

In the past, Stephen Garcia was not one to jump aboard the mental health awareness train, looking at it as someone who was not strong enough to handle the circumstances surrounding whatever battle they were facing.

But, that’s the football side of Garcia, and he was the first to admit that his mindset had changed because of the stigma surrounding people, most importantly men, not feeling comfortable enough to discuss their struggles.

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This problem has led to many downfalls, or problems that arise by not talking to others about what they are going through in the moments of trials and tribulations.

For Stephen, that has all changed.

“In years past, I thought mental health was an absolute joke, just to be completely frank with you,” Garcia told OutKick. “I was like, if you gotta have some mental toughness, I played for Coach Spurrier so I had to have some mental toughness to deal with him. But, I was also extremely hard headed. It is huge. There’s gonna be days when you’re not gonna walk to talk with anybody, days you wanna give up, you gotta stay mentally tough. This whole process has opened my eyes to a whole different deal.

“People can change. I was against the whole mental health thing, I thought it was stupid. But, it’s changed my opinion, my outlook on life in general, and I encourage everyone to speak it up. I’ve had so many people reach out to say if you need to talk, reach out to me. Everyone said the same thing that you have to be mentally in it. If you are positive mentally, you’re going to get through it. If you’re feeling down in the dumps, figure out a way to get positive. It’s no joke, you are where your minds at.”

South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia throwing a pass during a football game.

South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia throws a pass against Kentucky in the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C., on Oct. 3, 2009. South Carolina defeated Kentucky 28-26. (Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports)

 

Outreach has been overwhelming, with a long battle ahead

After going through his first round of chemotherapy this week, Garcia is coming to terms with the battle he faces, though he’s keeping a positive outlook for the sake of himself and his family. He will continue training athletes, when his body allows, and using his platform to encourage others to take their health seriously.

If it weren’t for his wife pushing him into getting examined, who knows how long this could’ve gone before his cancer was noticed. In the meantime, the support system has been overwhelming, as Garcia described while choking back tears.

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Stephen Garcia dropping back to pass during a football game at Bank of America Stadium

Stephen Garcia of the South Carolina Gamecocks drops back to pass against the East Carolina Pirates at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 3, 2011. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Whether it’s the Clemson football team, or Dabo Swinney himself, and the thousands of people who have reached out over the past few days, it’s not lost on the former quarterback how much the support has meant for his own sanity during uncertain times.

For now, Stephen Garcia is taking his battle with cancer one day at a time. But, he’s also got college football fans rooting for him to beat this terrible disease.



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