Congo knock out Nigeria in dramatic shootout to end Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup hopes

igeria’s World Cup hopes shattered in penalty defeat to DR Congo

Nigeria’s dream of returning to the World Cup collapsed in heartbreaking fashion on Sunday night after a nerve-shredding playoff ended in a 4–3 penalty defeat to DR Congo in Raba

The Super Eagles were left stunned as the Leopards held their composure in a tense shootout following a 1–1 draw after 120 emotionally draining minutes.

Nigeria looked set for a promising night when Frank Onyeka struck in just the third minute, his shot taking a deflection that wrong-footed Lionel Mpasi-Nzau. But Congo hit back in the 32nd minute through Meschack Elia, who calmly tucked away a clever pass from Cedric Bakambu.

From that moment, Congo grew in confidence and slowly took control.

Nigeria’s attacking rhythm faded even further when Victor Osimhen was forced off at halftime, and despite flashes of hope from Chidera Ejuke and Toluwalase Arokodare, the Super Eagles failed to regain their spark.

Stanley Nwabali kept Nigeria alive with several crucial saves, including a brilliant stop from Chancel Mbemba’s looping extra-time header.

The lottery of penalties was where the heartbreak finally unfolded.

Calvin Bassey missed Nigeria’s first effort, followed by another miss from Moses Simon.

Nwabali produced two heroic saves to keep hope alive, but when Semi Ajayi’s sudden-death attempt was denied, the moment fell to Mbemba.

The Leopards’ captain stepped up and blasted home the decisive kick, sparking wild celebrations as Congo’s players sprinted toward their fans.

Congo, who last featured at a World Cup in 1974 when the nation was known as Zaire, have now booked their place in the six-team inter-confederation playoffs for March.

“This time he was the hero,” one report noted of Mbemba, who had also scored a last-gasp winner against Cameroon just days earlier.

For Nigeria, the loss marks a second consecutive World Cup absence and a painful end to a turbulent qualifying campaign that unfolded under three different coaches.

The team’s struggles without Osimhen, particularly their lack of cutting edge, once again proved costly.

Despite high expectations, the Super Eagles rarely looked convincing after their bright start and ultimately paid the price.