Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup hopes concluded in Rabat after a 1-1 draw and 3-4 penalty shootout loss to DR Congo, despite Frank Onyeka’s early goal.
Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup were dashed in Rabat on Sunday after the Super Eagles were edged out 4-3 on penalties by DR Congo, following a hard-fought 1-1 draw after extra time in the final World Cup qualifying playoff.
According to a report from All Nigeria Soccer, Nigeria’s route to the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered a damaging and painful setback on Sunday as the Super Eagles were eliminated in the qualifying playoff final in Rabat.
Following a gripping 1-1 draw after 120 minutes of play, the team ultimately fell 4–3 on penalties to DR Congo, signaling the end of Nigeria’s World Cup dream. The victory, meanwhile, sends the Leopards into the Intercontinental Playoffs.
The contest began with an ideal start for Nigeria, who struck inside three minutes of the opening whistle through midfielder Frank Onyeka.
Onyeka’s driven effort took a crucial deflection, which left goalkeeper Lionel M’Pasi wrong-footed as the Super Eagles took the lead.
Nigeria initially pressed aggressively, but the momentum shifted when DR Congo equalized in the 32nd minute. Mechak Elia was the goalscorer, capitalizing on a defensive lapse where he robbed Alex Iwobi before calmly placing his finish beyond Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Despite threats from attackers like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman heading into the break, Osimhen’s early second-half withdrawal due to injury invited more pressure from DR Congo.
Goalkeeper Nwabali was subsequently forced into several vital saves, including a dramatic goal-line intervention, to keep Nigeria level.
As fatigue set in, the Leopards controlled extra time, with the report noting that they pushed the Super Eagles deep into their own territory.
Although DR Congo had one goal disallowed for an earlier foul, no further breakthrough was made, leading to the deciding penalty shootout.
In the tense final phase, DR Congo held firm, while Nigeria faltered, concluding their qualification journey with a painful setback.
DR Congo, now victorious, will compete in the Intercontinental Playoffs scheduled for March 2026, keeping their World Cup hopes alive.