Nigeria were knocked out the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification race on Sunday, losing 4-3 on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo, after a tense 1-1 draw in regulation time, at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
The Super Eagles’ start was electric. Victor Osimhen pinned the Leopards of DR Congo back line and, after early pressure, Frank Onyeka struck from the edge of the box, his effort glancing off Axel Tuanzebe and wrong-footing Lionel Mpasi.
The Leopards steadied and grew into the game, with Theo Bongonda and Cédric Bakambu stretching the pitch on the break.
Then just after the half-hour mark, Nigerian Wilfred Ndidi was dispossessed in midfield and Mechak Elia pounced, racing clear to slot beyond Stanley Nwabali.
Osimhen twice went close after the interval—one header drifted past the post and another effort was smothered by Mpasi—while at the other end Bakambu tested Nwabali from distance. The match finished 1-1 and headed to extra-time.
Chances thinned in extra time as fatigue and caution set in, with both defences largely untroubled.
The shootout brought its own drama. Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon had missed their chances early in the shootout and goalkeeper Nwabali was at his best when he denied the DR Congo their two penalty kicks.
Nwabali’s two saves in the shootout was not enough to cancel out misses from Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi, as Chancel Mbemba scored the winning penalty kick to send the Leopards into the intercontinental playoffs for the World Cup.
For DR Congo, who last appeared at a World Cup in 1974 as Zaire, this marks another step in a resolute qualifying campaign built on defensive organisation and big moments in tight games. They now advance to the inter-confederation play-off from 23–31 March 2026.
Nigeria, chasing a seventh finals appearance, will dwell on a blistering start not converted into control and on missed opportunities either side of the equaliser. Their run ends despite a spirited, front-foot showing and long spells of territory.
The defeat marks Nigeria’s second consecutive failure at the play-off stage, following their loss to Ghana on away goals in the final qualifying round for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
It is the first time Nigeria have failed to qualify for two consecutive World Cups since the country’s debut in 1994.