Nigeria’s quest to achieve the 2026 FIFA World Cup got here to a painful finish on Sunday evening after the Tremendous Eagles misplaced 4–3 on penalties to DR Congo in a tense and dramatic playoff on the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay El Hassan in Rabat.
The match had completed 1–1 after 120 minutes, however the Leopards held their nerve within the shootout to advance, leaving Nigeria devastated after a draining contest outlined by missed probabilities, gritty defending, and excessive emotion.
Frank Onyeka gave Nigeria the proper begin within the third minute, firing house from the sting of the field after a deflection wrong-footed goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau.
DR Congo responded strongly and equalised within the thirty second minute by means of Meschack Elia, who completed neatly after a intelligent go from Cedric Bakambu.
Each groups battled fiercely by means of the second half and additional time with the Congolese having extra management of the sport and creating higher probabilities. Stanley Nwabali made a number of important interventions, whereas Nigeria struggled for fluency after Victor Osimhen went off injured at first of the second half.
Probabilities got here and went at each ends, together with alternatives for Chidera Ejuke and Toluwalase Arokodare, however neither aspect discovered a winner.
The match moved to penalties, the place the heartbreak unfolded.
Calvin Bassey missed Nigeria’s first kick. Moses Simon additionally didn’t convert his kick whereas Nwabali saved two penalty kicks to maintain Nigeria alive.
Semi Ajayi’s miss proved expensive throughout sudden loss of life kicks, and DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba stepped as much as bury the decisive kick, sealing a well-known victory for the Leopards.
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DR Congo have now secured their place within the Inter-confederation Playoffs, incomes the proper to struggle for a spot on the 2026 FIFA World Cup after their nerve-shredding penalty victory over Nigeria in Rabat.
The Leopards, who final appeared on the World Cup in 1974 when the nation was often known as Zaire, will now be a part of the likes of Bolivia and New Caledonia, who’ve already booked their place within the six-team playoff match.
For Nigeria, it was a bitter end to an extended and tense qualifying journey. For DR Congo, jubilation as they moved one step nearer to the 2026 World Cup.
