DR Congo Bundle Nigeria Out of 2026 World Cup Playoffs
DR Congo on Sunday bundle Nigeria out of the qualification Playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday night after the Super Eagles lost 4–3 on penalties.
The match, held at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay El Hassan in Rabat, Morocco, ended 1-1 in regulation time and additional extra time.
Frank Onyeka gave Nigeria the perfect start in the third minute, firing home from the edge of the box after a deflection wrong-footed goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau.
DR Congo, however, responded strongly and equalised in the 32nd minute through Meschack Elia, who finished neatly after a clever pass from Cedric Bakambu.
Both teams battled fiercely through the second half and extra time with the Congolese dominating the game and creating better chances. Stanley Nwabali made several vital saves to keep Nigeria in the game, as Super Eagles players fumbled after Victor Osimhen went off injured at the start of the second half.
In the penalty shootout, Calvin Bassey missed Nigeria’s first kick, so also Moses Simon but Nwabali saved two penalty kicks to keep Nigeria alive.
Semi Ajayi’s miss proved costly during sudden death kicks, and DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba stepped up to bury the decisive kick, sealing a famous victory for the Leopards.
DR Congo have now secured their place in the Inter-confederation Playoffs, earning the right to fight for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after their nerve-shredding penalty victory over Nigeria in Rabat.
The Leopards, who last appeared at the World Cup in 1974 when the country was known as Zaire, will now join the likes of Bolivia and New Caledonia, who have already booked their place in the six-team playoff tournament.
For Nigeria, it was a bitter finish to a long and tense qualifying journey. For DR Congo, jubilation as they moved one step closer to the 2026 World Cup.
