DR Congo defeated Nigeria on penalties (3-4) after a 1-1 extra-time draw in the final of the African World Cup playoffs on November 16, 2025. The victory advances DR Congo to the inter-confederation playoffs in March, while Nigeria will miss their second consecutive World Cup.
A second World Cup heartbreak: Nigeria falls to DR Congo in a dramatic penalty shootout RABAT, MOROCCO — For the second consecutive time, Nigeria's World Cup dreams have been dashed. In a dramatic final of the CAF World Cup playoffs, the Super Eagles were eliminated by the Democratic Republic of Congo in a 4–3 penalty shootout after a 1–1 extra-time draw. The defeat sends the Congolese side to the inter-confederation playoffs in March, while Nigeria faces another period of reflection. The Match: A Tale of Two Halves and a Missed Opportunity The crucial winner-take-all match began brightly for Nigeria at the Stade Prince Heritier Moulay Hassan. The Super Eagles seized an early lead in the third minute when Frank Onyeka's deflected shot found the back of the net. However, DR Congo, displaying resilience, equalized just after the half-hour mark with a goal from Meschack Elia.
The match's turning point came at halftime when Nigerian star striker Victor Osimhen was withdrawn due to a leg injury. With Osimhen's departure, Nigeria's attacking threat waned, and DR Congo gained momentum, dominating possession for large spells of the game. The match concluded in a tense 1–1 draw after 120 minutes, forcing the teams to a penalty shootout. Penalty Drama and Voodoo Allegations The tension and drama peaked during the penalty shootout. Nigeria's hopes were hurt by early misses from Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon. Despite some brilliant saves from Nigeria's goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, it wasn't enough to secure the win. The shootout stretched into sudden death, where DR Congo's substitute goalkeeper, Timothy Fayulu, saved Semi Ajayi's crucial spot-kick. The victory was sealed by DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba, who converted the decisive penalty. Following the defeat, Nigerian head coach Éric Chelle added to the controversy by alleging that DR Congo players had used "voodoo" during the penalty shootout.
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The Aftermath: Reflection and Moving Forward For DR Congo, the victory keeps their hopes of a first World Cup appearance since 1974 alive. They will now proceed to the inter-confederation playoffs for a chance to secure one of the final spots in the expanded 48-team tournament in 2026. For Nigeria, the defeat marks another bitter disappointment. President Bola Tinubu commended the team's effort and urged them to focus on the upcoming African Cup of Nations, but the loss is a significant setback for a nation with high footballing ambitions. The result has sparked widespread debate about the state of Nigerian football, especially with the Under-17 and Under-20 teams also failing to qualify for the World Cup in their respective categories. As one social media commentator put it, "the U17 team failed to qualify for the World Cup. The U20 team, embarrassed out of the World Cup. The U23 team did not qualify for the Olympics. The CHAN team got humiliated at the CHAN. The Super Eagles are not going to the World Cup. A round of applause to the NFF!". The road ahead for Nigeria's football is unclear, and the team now faces mounting pressure to deliver a successful performance at the upcoming AFCON. The defeat serves as a sobering reminder of the team's struggles on the international stage and the need for a comprehensive overhaul to regain their status as one of Africa's footballing powerhouses.
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