The Democratic Republic of Congo delivered a shock blow to Nigeria on Sunday night, keeping their 2026 World Cup hopes alive after a nerve-tightening penalty shootout in Rabat.
The two sides were locked at 1–1 after extra time. DR Congo then held their nerve to win 4–3 on penalties, booking a place in the inter-confederation play-offs in Mexico next March. For a nation that last reached the World Cup in 1974—then known as Zaire—it was a moment soaked in relief, pride, and sheer endurance.
The shootout unfolded in torrential rain. Captain Chancel Mbemba stepped up for the final kick with a bottle thrown in his direction. He ignored the chaos, struck cleanly, and sent his teammates sprinting towards him in wild celebration.
“It was not pressure,” Mbemba said afterwards. “It was belief. We knew what this meant to our country.”
A Night of Nerves and Narrow Escapes
Nigeria came into the match as clear favourites. Ranked 19 places above DR Congo, the Super Eagles were expected to control the evening. And for a brief moment, they did.
Only three minutes had passed when Frank Onyeka’s low drive took a heavy deflection off Axel Tuanzebe and wrong-footed goalkeeper Lionel M’Pasi. Nigeria led 1–0, and it looked like the night might stretch long for the Congolese.
But DR Congo settled, pushed forward, and found their equaliser in the 32nd minute. Veteran striker Cédric Bakambu delivered a teasing cross. Nigeria’s captain, Wilfred Ndidi, failed to control the ball, and Mechak Elia reacted quickest, stabbing home from close range.
From there, the match tightened. DR Congo grew stronger. Nigeria grew cautious.
Osimhen Forced Off as Nigeria Fades
Nigeria’s biggest blow came late in the first half when Victor Osimhen-arguably the continent’s most feared striker—went down injured. He did not return after the break. His absence left Nigeria blunt, hesitant, and short of ideas.
The Super Eagles nearly handed DR Congo the lead in the 83rd minute after a mix-up at the back, but Mahmoud Mayele, charging in, could not capitalise. Extra time brought more tension than quality, and when DR Congo thought they had scored, referee Samir Guezzaz ruled it out for a foul.
With seconds left before penalties, DR Congo brought on substitute goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu. It proved a masterstroke. He saved two spot-kicks and shifted the pressure wholly onto Nigeria.
A Long Road Still Ahead
The win sends DR Congo to next year’s six-nation inter-confederation play-offs in Mexico. They stand alongside Bolivia and New Caledonia, with three more teams yet to be confirmed. The two highest-ranked sides will move straight into single-match finals. The others must battle through one-off semi-finals.
The prize: two golden tickets to the expanded 48-team World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Nigeria, meanwhile, must reckon with a campaign that fell apart despite their pedigree and talent. For a country that expects to be at every major tournament, missing out will sting for years.
DR Congo will not mind. On a wet night in Rabat, they rediscovered their belief—and made the world notice.
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