Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup hopes dashed

• Lose 4–3 in penalty shoot-out to DR Congo

By Grace Edet
Nigeria’s dream of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended in heartbreak on Sunday night as the Super Eagles fell 4–3 on penalties to DR Congo at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay El Hassan in Rabat.
The match had ended 1–1 after 120 minutes of intense football, but DR Congo held their nerve in the shootout to advance.
The loss leaves Nigeria devastated after a contest defined by missed chances, gritty defending, and high emotion, while DR Congo celebrated a historic step toward the World Cup.
Frank Onyeka gave Nigeria an ideal start in the third minute, firing home from the edge of the box after a deflection wrong-footed goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau.
DR Congo responded in the 32nd minute through Meschack Elia, who finished neatly following a clever pass from Cedric Bakambu.
The rest of the match saw fierce battles in midfield and tense defending. DR Congo controlled large periods of play in the second half and extra time, creating the clearer opportunities.
Stanley Nwabali’s crucial saves kept Nigeria in the game, while the Super Eagles struggled for fluency after Victor Osimhen was forced off with an injury early in the second half.
Chances came and went for both sides, including opportunities for Chidera Ejuke and Toluwalase Arokodare, but neither team could break the deadlock, pushing the match to a penalty shootout.
The shootout proved cruel for Nigeria. Calvin Bassey missed the opening kick, and Moses Simon also failed to convert, while Nwabali saved two DR Congo penalties to keep hopes alive.
However, Semi Ajayi’s miss in sudden death proved decisive, allowing DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba to step up and score the winning penalty.
DR Congo, nicknamed the Leopards, now advance to the Inter-confederation Playoffs, moving one step closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Their last World Cup appearance was in 1974, when the nation competed as Zaire. They join Bolivia and New Caledonia, who have already secured spots in the six-team playoff tournament.
For Nigeria, it marks a bitter end to a tense qualifying journey that began with high hopes but ended in heartbreak. Fans and players alike were left to reflect on missed opportunities and what might have been.