The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) kept their 2026 FIFA World Cup aspirations alive with a nail-biting 4–3 penalty shootout victory over Nigeria following a tense 1–1 draw after extra time.
The African qualifying play-off final, held under the floodlights of the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, saw underdogs DR Congo advance to the inter-confederation play-offs, while Nigeria’s Super Eagles slumped to a second consecutive World Cup absence.
The stakes could not have been higher. As one of the best runners-up from Africa’s nine qualifying groups, Nigeria entered the mini-tournament in Rabat desperate to atone for their Qatar 2022 play-off heartbreak against Ghana.
DR Congo, similarly placed, arrived with nothing to lose and everything to gai a first World Cup appearance since 1974.
The winners would join five other global contenders in March’s clash for the two remaining spots in the expanded 48-team tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
How Nigeria’s Super Eagles Lost the Game
Nigeria struck first in dreamlike fashion. Just three minutes in, midfielder Frank Onyeka pounced on a loose clearance outside the box, rifling a deflected shot past DR Congo’s Lionel Mpasi-Nzau to send the Super Eagles’ contingent into raptures.
The early goal set a frenetic tone, with Nigeria’s talismanic striker, Victor Osimhen, terrorizing the Leopards’ defence.
However, DR Congo, coached by the astute Sébastien Desabre, refused to crumble. They absorbed the pressure and levelled in the 32nd minute through winger Meschack Elia.
The Alanyaspor forward latched onto a swift counterattack after Wilfred Ndidi failed to cut out a right-wing cross.
The half-time whistle brought a brief respite, but the second period devolved into a war of attrition.
Nigeria, fatigued from a grueling qualification campaign, struggled to regain momentum, while DR Congo’s disciplined backline frustrated the Nigerian attack.
The Super Eagles were on the back foot for much of the second half, though there were two opportunities in extra time at either end.
Nigerian substitute, Tolu Arokodare headed over, and with the last effort of the game, Chancel Mbemba had his shot saved by Stanley Nwabali.
Extra time saw the introduction of substitute goalkeeper, Timothy Fayulu, who came on in the 119th minute solely for the lottery of penalties.
The audacious tactical ploy paid off spectacularly. Fayulu denied Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi in sudden death, his sprawling saves igniting the Congolese bench.
Mbemba, the Lille stalwart, stepped up for the decisive kick, burying it past Nwabali to seal a historic triumph.
Nigeria’s miss from Ajayi proved fatal, capping a collapse that left coach Eric Chelle shell shocked.
The Leopards now join Bolivia and New Caledonia in the inter-confederation fray, with two slots up for grabs against teams from Asia, CONCACAF, and CONMEBOL.
Nigeria, however, must now seek redemption at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in December after their disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign.
