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DR Congo advanced to the inter-confederation play-offs after defeating Nigeria 4-3 on penalties in a tense CAF qualification mini-tournament final in Rabat, Morocco.
Nigeria made the perfect start at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium, with Frank Onyeka converting a Zaidu Sanusi cross just three minutes into the match.
In a match reported by New York Times, but the lead was erased before the interval when Meschak Elia Lina capitalised on a mistake from Alex Iwobi to finish off a well-worked move.
A cagey second half and extra time produced few chances, sending the contest to a shootout.
DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba struck the decisive spot-kick in sudden death after Semi Ajayi missed for Nigeria, sealing a 4-3 victory.
The win sends DR Congo into March’s inter-confederation play-offs, where six teams will battle for a place at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Osimhen’s Absence Felt
Victor Osimhen, unusually quiet in the first half, was withdrawn at the break for Akor Adams after an early collision with Ngal’ayel Mukau.
The striker did not reappear until extra time, when he was seen “jumping off the bench to give instructions to his team-mates or moan at the fourth official.”
Without Osimhen’s trademark blend of “speed, power and skill”, Nigeria appeared flat.
Adams struggled to influence the game, with long balls repeatedly returned by DR Congo’s defence.
Iwobi, targeted throughout the match in the same manner that led to the equaliser, dropped deeper in search of possession but remained under pressure.
Substituting Iwobi and Ademola Lookman—arguably Nigeria’s most technically assured players—further hampered the team’s ability to progress the ball, leaving them unable to generate momentum before the shootout.
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