Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup were dashed on Sunday after the Super Eagles fell to DR Congo in a tense penalty shootout during the African play-offs final in Rabat, Morocco.
The match, which finished 1–1 after 120 minutes, saw the Leopards edge Nigeria 4–3 on penalties to secure Africa’s slot in next year’s intercontinental play-offs.
Nigeria made the perfect start, taking the lead just three minutes into the contest.
Midfielder Frank Onyeka fired home from the edge of the area, putting the Super Eagles ahead and briefly raising expectations of a straightforward evening.
But despite a number of promising breaks, Nigeria failed to convert further chances, allowing DR Congo to grow steadily into the game.
Their pressure paid off in the 32nd minute when Mechak Elia struck a low effort beyond the Nigerian goalkeeper to level the score.
The first half ended with both sides on equal footing, but the restart brought an unexpected twist as Victor Osimhen did not return for the second half.
The Napoli striker’s absence left Nigeria short of attacking edge, and although both teams created openings, neither could find a winner before extra time.
With fatigue setting in, the match drifted towards penalties, where DR Congo held their nerve. The Leopards converted four of their spot-kicks, while Nigeria missed twice, ending their journey towards the global finals in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
The defeat means the Super Eagles will not feature at the World Cup for the second consecutive time.
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