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DR Congo defender Noah Sadiki says his team’s calm belief in shutting down Victor Osimhen shaped their dramatic playoff victory over Nigeria in Rabat on Sunday night, Footynaija.com reports.
The Sunderland youngster admitted after Congo’s 4-3 penalty shootout win that the players arrived with a clear objective.
“We know Osimhen is a big player also there are other top players in the Nigerian team but we knew if we can keep Osimhen quiet we have a chance of winning the game,” Sadiki told Brila via Completesports.com.
Nigeria started brightly, taking a third-minute lead through Frank Onyeka after Zaidu Sanusi’s cross caused confusion in the Congolese box.
But Meshak Elia punished a midfield mistake to equalise shortly before half-time, and the contest shifted dramatically once Osimhen failed to return for the second half due to injury.
Without the Galatasaray striker’s movement and physical presence, Nigeria struggled to create chances and were pushed deeper as Congo grew in confidence.
Stanley Nwabali made important saves to keep the Super Eagles in the game, while Tolu Arokodare went close with a header in extra time. But neither side found a winner.
The shootout proved decisive. Nigeria missed twice through Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon, while Semi Ajayi saw his sudden-death effort saved. Congo converted their next kick to progress to the Intercontinental playoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
For Osimhen, it means another missed World Cup after sitting out Qatar 2022. He will next get a chance in 2030, when he will be 31.
Congo now move within one step of their first World Cup appearance since 1974.
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