By Gbenga Oresanya
That is the heartbreaking and confirmed news for the Super Eagles and Nigerian fans.
Nigeria’s dream of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been officially dashed after a dramatic loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) in the African Playoff Final.
The defeat means the Super Eagles will miss the World Cup for the second consecutive time, having also missed the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
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MATCH SUMMARY: Nigeria vs Dr Congo
The winner-takes-all playoff final, held at the Stade Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan in Rabat, Morocco, on Sunday, November 16, 2025, was a tense affair that was decided by penalties.
Early Goal, Early Hope:
Nigeria started brightly, with Frank Onyeka scoring a deflected goal just three minutes in, giving the Super Eagles an immediate lead.
Congo’s Response:
DR Congo regrouped, and Meschack Elia capitalized on a counter-attack in the 32nd minute, leveling the score after a defensive error by the Super Eagles’ midfield.
Osimhen’s Withdrawal:
A major blow for Nigeria was the substitution of star striker Victor Osimhen at half-time due to an injury, which reportedly left the team “bereft of ideas” in the second half and extra time.
Penalty Heartbreak:
The game went to penalties after a goalless extra time. DR Congo substitute goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu—who was brought on just before the shootout—became the hero, making two crucial saves. The winning penalty was converted by DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba, sealing Nigeria’s elimination.
DR Congo has secured Africa’s sole spot in the Inter-Confederation Play-off Tournament, a mini-tournament in March 2026 where six teams from various continents will compete for the final two places at the World Cup.
Nigeria: The focus now shifts entirely to the upcoming CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign and addressing the issues that have seen the team miss consecutive World Cups. The performance is likely to trigger a major review of the team’s coaching staff and overall structure.
