Nigeria’s quest to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to a painful end on Sunday following a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the African play-off final decided in Rabat, Morocco.
Both sides entered the contest seeking a place in the inter-continental play-off after finishing as the best runners-up in the African qualifying series.
For the encounter, coach Eric Chelle adjusted his line-up by bringing in Semi Ajayi and Frank Onyeka for Akor Adams and Bright Osayi-Samuel, with Onyeka joining Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi in midfield while Ajayi’s inclusion pushed Benjamin Fredrick to right-back.
Nigeria made a bright start as Onyeka justified his selection by scoring in the third minute, reacting quickest to a loose clearance from a Zaidu Sanusi cross before his strike took a deflection past goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau.
While the Eagles failed to convert two half-chances to extend their lead, the Congolese responded in the 32nd minute when Meschack Elia capitalised on a turnover, received a pass from Cedric Bakambu and fired home a composed finish to level the score.
Moments into the second half, the Super Eagles were forced into another change as Osimhen made way for Adams, a move believed to be influenced by injury concerns.
Nwabali was called into action shortly after, stopping Bakambu’s attempt at the near post as the forward tried to curl a corner into the goalkeeper’s bottom right corner in the 54th minute.
Further substitutions saw Moses Simon and Chidera Ejuke replace Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze, but the momentum still tilted in favour of the Leopards despite Nigeria’s adjustments.
Late into regulation time, Nigeria survived a dangerous moment in the 83rd minute when Nwabali nearly gifted DR Congo a goal before scrambling back to block the effort, with the offside flag eventually providing relief.
Extra time offered little improvement for the Eagles, who appeared stretched after their gruelling battle against Gabon three days earlier and struggled to match the intensity of their opponents.
DR Congo had the ball in the net twice during extra time, but both efforts—first by Fiston Mayele in the 95th minute and later by Noah Sadiki in the 110th minute—were ruled out for fouls in the build-up.
A late scare arrived seconds before the shootout when Mbemba’s dipping header forced Nwabali into a big save to keep the score level.
During the penalty drama, Nwabali redeemed himself with two crucial stops, but misses from Calvin Bassey and Simon left Nigeria trailing. Adams, Ejuke and Onyemaechi converted theirs to keep hopes alive until Timothy Fayulu saved Ajayi’s sixth kick.
Mbemba then stepped up to score DR Congo’s decisive penalty, sealing the Leopards’ passage to the inter-continental play-off and ending Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup.
