National Teams
DR Congo eliminate Nigeria on penalties to deny Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup ticket
By Dayo Awoniyi
Nigeria’s bid to return to the FIFA World Cup ended in heartbreak on Sunday as the Democratic Republic of Congo edged the Super Eagles 4–3 on penalties after a tense 1–1 draw in Rabat.
The Super Eagles made an ideal start, forcing a Congolese own goal through sustained early pressure to take the lead. But the Leopards responded with resolve, drawing level shortly before halftime through Ella to shift the momentum and set up a gripping contest.
Both sides created opportunities through the second half and extra time, but neither could find a decisive breakthrough as nerves tightened and the stakes grew heavier.
The match eventually went to a penalty shootout, where Nigeria—three-time African champions— faltered with a costly miss in the final round. DR Congo kept their composure, converting the deciding kick to seal a famous victory and spark jubilant celebrations.
The win sends the Leopards to the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico, keeping their World Cup hopes alive. For Nigeria, the defeat prolongs a painful absence from the global stage and is likely to intensify scrutiny of the national team’s direction and management.
The result reverberated across African football on Sunday night—an affirmation of DR Congo’s resurgence and a bitter blow to millions of Nigerian supporters.