In Rabat on Sunday night time, Nigeria’s lengthy, grinding push towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup dissolved beneath the burden of pressure, errors, and a relentless Congolese facet that refused to interrupt. And when the mud settled, Tremendous Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, one of many few gamers who stood tall all through the whole qualifying marketing campaign, stepped ahead to shoulder the ache.
Nigeria fell 4–3 to DR Congo on penalties within the CAF playoff last, ending a two-year journey that had been rebuilt on new perception, tactical restructuring, and a last-ditch surge into competition. For the primary time in historical past, the Tremendous Eagles have now missed back-to-back World Cup tournaments.
Nwabali’s emotional message: “I used to be as soon as a fan”
Moments after the defeat, a visibly shaken Nwabali addressed Nigerians immediately.
“Painful! All of us did our greatest for the badge, although our greatest wasn’t sufficient. I used to be as soon as a fan and perceive the way it feels providing you with a disappointing night time. We take full duty,” he wrote on Instagram.
His phrases carried a weight deeper than mere apology. Nwabali had stored Nigeria alive all night time, a response save from a bullet header within the dying seconds of additional time and two penalty stops within the shootout, but the dream nonetheless slipped by means of his gloves.
How the night time unravelled
Nigeria really began with authority.
Inside three minutes, Frank Onyeka fired the Eagles forward, his shot taking a deflection that wrong-footed former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe.
For a second, it appeared just like the night would observe Nigeria’s script.
As a substitute, DR Congo flipped the sport.
Meschack Elia equalised within the thirty second minute after sustained strain, punishing lapses in Nigeria’s midfield and shifting the momentum completely. From that time, the Leopards grew in confidence, depth, and perception.
Then got here the turning level: Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s talisman and emotional centre, didn’t return for the second half attributable to harm. With him went Nigeria’s construction, urgent rhythm, and psychological edge.
Congo DR dominated the rest of the match, controlling possession, forcing Nigeria deeper, and dragging the tie into additional time and in the end penalties.
A crushing finish to a marketing campaign that when promised revival
The loss is a very bitter blow given the place Nigeria stood months earlier.
After an erratic qualifying collection that noticed the Eagles end second of their group with 17 factors, the crew stormed into Rabat recent off a convincing 4–1 semifinal win over Gabon, sparking a surge of nationwide optimism.
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However Sunday’s failure confirms a brand new and undesirable chapter: Nigeria is not going to seem at a World Cup for not less than 12 years, from Russia 2018 to Morocco/Spain/Portugal 2030.
Since their iconic debut at USA ’94, the Tremendous Eagles have by no means failed to achieve consecutive World Cups. That consistency, the hallmark of Nigeria’s soccer id, has now crumbled.
In the meantime, the Congo DR stand getting ready to historical past
Whereas Nigeria mourns, DR Congo rejoice a seismic breakthrough. Their victory sends them into the six-team intercontinental playoffs to be held in March in Mexico. Solely two nations will survive that gauntlet to earn World Cup tickets.
The Leopards haven’t appeared on the World Cup since 1974, a 51-year drought. Now, they’re one step away from rewriting their soccer historical past.
