Nigeria 1–1 DR Congo (3–4 Pen): Super Eagles Fall Short in World Cup Playoff Thriller
Nigeria’s dream of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to a painful end last night after a dramatic 1–1 draw and a 4–3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
Despite a bright start and early lead, the Super Eagles could not hold off a resilient Congolese side who fought back, pushed the game into extra time, and ultimately held their nerve from the spot.
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⚽ Match Summary
Nigeria opened the scoring just three minutes into the match when Frank Onyeka’s powerful strike deflected off Axel Tuanzebe and wrong-footed the goalkeeper. The Super Eagles looked sharp and in control during the early moments.
However, DR Congo equalized in the 32nd minute through Meschack Elia, who capitalized on a defensive error and slotted home calmly. The goal shifted momentum, and both teams battled intensely for the rest of the match.
The game went through 90 minutes and extra time with no further goals, forcing a penalty shootout to decide the winner.
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🎯 Penalty Shootout Drama
DR Congo made a bold tactical move by bringing on goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu just before the shootout — a decision that paid off as he saved twice.
Nigeria converted three penalties, but Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, and Moses Simon were unable to score. Chancel Mbemba stepped up to score the decisive kick for DR Congo, sending his nation to the inter-confederation playoff.
Final shootout score: Nigeria 3–4 DR Congo
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🔑 Key Moments
🇳🇬 3′ – Frank Onyeka puts Nigeria ahead early
⚽ 32′ – Meschack Elia equalizes for DR Congo
❌ Osimhen substituted at halftime due to injury concerns
🧤 DR Congo’s substitute keeper Fayulu makes two crucial penalty saves
🔚 DR Congo advances; Nigeria eliminated from World Cup contention
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📊 Match Review
Nigeria started strong but struggled to maintain intensity after conceding. Injuries, missed chances, and a shaky second half cost them control. DR Congo were organized, disciplined, and tactically smart — especially with their late goalkeeper substitution.
This result marks Nigeria’s second consecutive failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, sparking discussions about squad depth, coaching decisions, and the long-term direction of the national team.
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📝 What’s Next?
DR Congo progresses to the inter-confederation playoff in March 2026, keeping their World Cup hopes alive.
Nigeria faces a period of reflection and rebuilding as fans call for stronger leadership, improved tactics, and better squad consistency.
