Nigeria’s dream of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has come to an end following their penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo at the CAF World Cup play-offs final, Footynaija.com reports.
Buoyed by the confidence of their comprehensive win against Gabon in the semi-final, the Super Eagles raced out of the blocks against DR Congo to take the lead through minefielder Frank Onyeka after only three minutes.
However, the resilient Leopards struck back just after the half hour mark, took the Super Eagles all the way into extra-time and emerged victorious following a tense penalty shootout. Here are five key takeaways from the game as Nigeria’s World Cup dreams fade away.
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1. Nigeria’s failure to protect their lead proves costly
The Super Eagles made a habit of going ahead and then conceding an equalizer during the majority of their games in the qualifying campaign. This inability to protect a lead has finally come back to haunt them.
Against Gabon, the Super Eagles took a 78th minute lead but contrived to concede a late equalizer that forced the match into extra-time. While they went on to rout Gabon, they had no such luck against DR Congo, who ran out 4-3 winners after the shootout.
2. The Super Eagles looked leggy after the first half
Nigeria, despite playing over 130 minutes of football in the semi-final, began the game in electric fashion and reaped the rewards only three minutes in after Onyeka’s shot deflected off Axel Tuanzebe into the back of the net. They controlled proceedings for the majority of the first half but were unable to prevent DR Congo from drawing things level.
However, momentum swung the way of the Leopards after the break with the Super Eagles looking slower and slower as the game progressed. It didn’t get any better for Eric Chelle’s side even after making a flood of substitutions as DR Congo maintained their dominance throughout the second half and even into extra-time.
3. Penalty shootout heartbreak for Nigeria
After managing to survive the attacking onslaught from the Leopards during extra-time, the Super Eagles suffered the worst possible start to the penalty shoot-out after Calvin Bassey blazed the opening spot-kick into the stands.
It went from bad to worse and second half substitute and second taker Moses Simon saw his own shot saved by the Congolese goalkeeper. Despite Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali making two saves off the Leopards, Semi Ajayi’s miss in sudden death gave Chancel Mbemba the chance to win it for DR Congo.
4. Nigeria miss back-to-back World Cups
Tonight’s result effectively means that the Super Eagles will not be taking part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup that will take place in three different countries including The United States, Mexico and Canada.
It also means that Nigeria, having missed out on the 2022 edition hosted by Qatar, will now be absent from back-to-back tournaments for the first time since making their debut appearance at the Mundial back in 1994.
