Rabat, Morocco – Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended last night after a penalty shootout loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat. The Super Eagles were beaten 4 to 3 on penalties after a 1 to 1 draw in regulation time and extra time.
The match drew attention across Southern Africa, including Eswatini, where football followers closely track the continent’s major qualifiers. Many local fans were watching to see whether Victor Osimhen would help carry Nigeria through to the playoff round.
Nigeria began strongly. Osimhen unsettled the DR Congo back line and created early pressure that led to Frank Onyeka’s opener. His shot from the edge of the box took a deflection off Axel Tuanzebe, leaving goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi wrong footed.
DR Congo reorganised quickly and grew into the game, using Theo Bongonda and Cedric Bakambu to stretch Nigeria on the counter. The equaliser arrived after Wilfred Ndidi lost possession in midfield, allowing Mechak Elia to break away and apply a composed finish past Stanley Nwabali just after the half hour mark.
Osimhen created chances again early in the second half. One header drifted wide and another effort was pushed away by Mpasi. Bakambu forced Nwabali into a save on the opposite end as both sides pushed to settle the match before extra time.
The additional period offered few clear chances as fatigue set in. Both teams eventually prepared for penalties where the night took another turn. Nigeria missed through Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon in the early rounds and Semi Ajayi added another miss later. Nwabali kept Nigeria in the contest with two saves but DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba scored the decisive spot kick.
The result sends DR Congo to the inter confederation playoffs scheduled for late March 2026. The country last featured at a World Cup in 1974 under the name Zaire.
Nigeria were aiming for a seventh appearance at the global tournament but their campaign ends with this setback. It is the second time in a row that the Super Eagles have fallen at the final hurdle after also missing out on the Qatar 2022 finals.
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