• Nigeria lost 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in regulation and extra time.
• Frank Onyeka scored for Nigeria in the 3rd minute; Meschack Elia equalised in the 32nd minute.
• Match played at Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan, Rabat.
• DR Congo advances to the Inter-Confederation Playoffs.
• Nigeria fails to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup.
Nigeria entered the decisive qualification clash with determination, urgency, and the emotional weight of millions of supporters who hoped this would mark the nation's return to the FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles could not afford another failure after missing out on the 2022 edition. Their intentions became clear almost immediately, as Frank Onyeka delivered a calm and clinical finish inside the opening three minutes, capitalising on a rapid attacking move that destabilised the Congolese defence.
The early goal electrified the Nigerian bench and ignited belief among supporters watching across the world. With momentum in their favour and DR Congo temporarily unsettled, Nigeria looked poised to build on their lead. For the next fifteen minutes, the Super Eagles maintained composure and created promising forward movements, using the wings effectively and applying pressure through pace and physicality.
However, DR Congo slowly adjusted. Their midfield began to find rhythm, and Nigeria's defensive shape occasionally wavered under counterattacking threats. Despite Nigeria's strong start, it was clear the contest would demand discipline and sustained efficiency rather than early fireworks alone.
The equaliser arrived in the 32nd minute when Meschack Elia seized upon a defensive lapse from Nigeria. A breakdown in marking coupled with hesitation at the back gifted Congo the window they needed. Elia's composed finish silenced the early Nigerian optimism and shifted the mental balance of the match.
From that moment onward, Congo appeared emboldened. Their pressing improved, their passing grew sharper, and their overall confidence increased. Nigeria, meanwhile, struggled to regain the attacking fluidity they displayed in the opening minutes. The midfield battle became congested, and turnovers began to emerge more frequently.
Despite the setback, Nigeria still produced chances—especially through Ademola Lookman and Victor Boniface—but the finishing lacked precision. Congo's defensive organisation proved stubborn, and Nigeria's attempts from distance could not trouble the goalkeeper.
The second half unfolded with rising tension as both sides searched for the decisive breakthrough. Nigeria held more possession but failed to convert it into clear scoring opportunities. Congo, on the other hand, relied on counterattacks that frequently forced critical interventions from Stanley Nwabali.
As time advanced, the emotional weight of the contest intensified. Nigeria's build-up play suffered whenever the passing rhythm broke down, while Congo increasingly looked like a team willing to drag the match into extra time. Every misplaced pass, every blocked shot, and every near-miss added to the growing pressure on both teams.
In the final fifteen minutes, Nigeria mounted renewed attacking waves but still could not find an end product. The match continued to tilt in unpredictable directions until the referee signaled full-time—with neither side able to score the winner.
Extra time brought visible fatigue, tactical caution, and careful risk management from both teams. Nigeria attempted to control possession, but Congo maintained excellent defensive shape while threatening through sudden bursts of pace.
In the 110th minute, Congo nearly stunned the Super Eagles with a powerful header that grazed the outside of the post. Nigeria responded moments later with Lookman curling a shot toward the top corner, only to be denied by a brilliant save.
The half-chances highlighted how razor-thin the margins had become. With neither team able to produce a decisive moment, the match drifted toward the inevitability of a penalty shootout.
The shootout was a test of nerve, precision, and emotional resilience. DR Congo converted four of their attempts, while Nigeria faltered twice. Although goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali guessed correctly on multiple shots, Congo's accuracy edged them ahead.
Nigeria's final miss sealed the heartbreaking elimination. Congo's players erupted in celebration, knowing they were now just one step away from securing a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup via the Inter-Confederation Playoffs.
The defeat left the Nigerian camp devastated, with players visibly emotional and fans stunned by another qualification failure.
Nigeria's exit did not hinge solely on the penalty miss; deeper issues contributed to the outcome. The team struggled with finishing accuracy despite generating promising openings. Defensive lapses—especially the error that led to Congo's equaliser—proved costly. Midfield inconsistency also disrupted the tempo, preventing Nigeria from dictating the match.
Tactical decisions, including substitutions and structural adjustments, failed to produce the needed impact. Despite possessing individual quality, the team lacked cohesion during crucial phases.
This marks the second consecutive World Cup cycle in which Nigeria failed to qualify, signalling a pressing need for structural improvements across coaching, player development, and long-term planning.
For DR Congo, the victory represents a monumental achievement. The nation has not appeared in a World Cup since 1974. Their disciplined defending, strong mentality, and tactical organisation throughout the qualifiers have earned them a rare chance at global football's biggest stage.
They now head into the Inter-Confederation Playoffs with confidence, momentum, and belief that they can complete the historic journey.
Nigeria's elimination from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers will be remembered as another painful chapter in the nation's football narrative. Despite taking an early lead and producing moments of brilliance, the Super Eagles could not overcome Congo's resilience or their own inefficiencies.
The result demands reflection, renewal, and decisive action from Nigerian football authorities as supporters look toward a more promising future. DR Congo, meanwhile, continues to dream—just ninety minutes away from a potential return to the global stage.
Post a Comment