Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Sunday, crashed out of the World Cup playoff after falling to DR Congo in shootout at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
The loss is now a back to back failure by the Eagles to grace the World Cup. The United States and Canada are hosting the 2026 World Cup.
Nigeria had seen off Gabon 4–1 in the first semi-final win, while DR Congo pipped Cameroon 1-0.
The Super Eagles started brightly with a deflected goal in the third minute through Frank Onyeka. However, DR Congo advanced to the intercontinental playoff following a dramatic penalty after getting an equalizer in the 32nd minute.
The match ended 1–1 after 120 minutes of regulation and extra time, sending the high-stakes encounter to penalties.
Extra time saw both teams create chances, with Tolu Arokodare missing a header for Nigeria and Nwabali making a crucial save from a DR Congo free kick, but neither side could break the deadlock.
The tension continued into the penalty shootout.
Nigeria’s Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon missed early chances, while Nwabali denied DR Congo’s first penalty.
Akor Adams kept the Super Eagles alive, but DR Congo struck back through Sadique and later scored the decisive fourth penalty, leaving Nigeria trailing 4–3 in the shootout.
