DR Congo have shattered Nigeria’s World Cup dreams, edging the Super Eagles in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout to book their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Inter-Continental Playoff.
What began as a perfect night for Nigeria ended in bitter disappointment, a game of early hope, mid-match tension, and a finale defined by cold nerves from 12 yards.
Nigeria struck almost immediately, capitalizing on their energetic start. In just the 3rd minute, Frank Onyeka’s effort took a wicked deflection, wrong-footing the Congolese keeper and handing the Super Eagles the ideal opening.
But that early spark didn’t last.
Slowly, DR Congo began to impose themselves, pushing back with intensity and belief. Their reward arrived in the 32nd minute, when Meschack Elia reacted quickest inside the box, firing home a crisp finish that dragged the Leopards level and completely reshaped the contest.
🎉 CÉLÉBRONS LA QUALIFICATION ! 🇨🇩🔥📷
Les Léopards l’ont fait !
Après un combat acharné, une séance de tirs au but pleine de sang-froid et un courage exceptionnel, la RDC décroche sa qualification ! 🙌🔥
📸 Des images qui resteront gravées dans l’histoire, des sourires, de la… pic.twitter.com/IXfNNnwqxK
— Fecofa RDC_Officiel (@FecofaRdc) November 16, 2025
The second half offered flashes but no finish, a tense, tactical duel where neither side seemed willing to blink. With the deadlock unbroken at full-time, the match moved toward its cruel decider: penalties.
From that moment, everything unravelled for Nigeria.
The Super Eagles faltered under pressure, finding the net just three times from six attempts. In contrast, DR Congo stayed composed and clinical, converting four, including the decisive strike from captain Chancel Mbemba.
That final kick was more than a goal, it was the sentence confirming Nigeria’s fate: the Super Eagles will not be flying to the 2026 World Cup.
For Nigerian fans, it’s a gut-wrenching ending to a campaign that had flickers of promise but never quite settled into consistency.
DR Congo, conversely, walk away with belief, momentum, and a huge scalp, defeating one of Africa’s true football heavyweights on their path toward the global stage.
