Sunday night in Rabat delivered a cruel blow to Nigerian football. The Super Eagles began with promise, opening the scoring early against DR Congo in the African play-off final for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, only to see their campaign unravel in extra time and ultimately lose out 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
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From the opening minutes, things looked favourable for Nigeria. Just three minutes in, Frank Onyeka fired a deflected strike home to give his nation the dream start. But by the 32nd minute, Congo had struck back: Meschak Elia connected after a defensive miscue to level the match, silencing a buoyant Nigerian crowd.
As the match progressed, momentum shifted. Nigeria lost their talismanic striker Victor Osimhen to injury early in the second half, a blow that visibly drained their attacking spark. With Congo increasing pressure and Nigeria unable to regain control, the fixture drifted into extra time and then the dreaded lottery of penalties.
In the shoot-out, it was nerves over technique. Nigeria missed the first penalty, and though goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made several critical saves to keep his side alive, a miss by Semi Ajayi proved decisive. Congo’s captain Chancel Mbemba stepped up and coolly converted the final kick to seal their progress and Nigeria’s elimination.
This result stings deeply for Nigeria. It marks the second consecutive World Cup they have failed to qualify for, a fall from a nation once regarded as almost automatic contenders in Africa.
For DR Congo, this night is a relief and a revival. They now head into the inter-continental play-offs with momentum, belief and the scars of overcoming a heavyweight favourite. Nigeria, meanwhile, must re-examine everything, from squad depth to injury management, mental fortitude in high-stakes moments, and the tactical flexibility to close out tight matches.
As the confetti falls on one side and the anguish lingers on the other, both teams head into what’s next: DR Congo into another shot at the World Cup, Nigeria into reflection and rebuilding.
