Nigeria Fail To Qualify For 2026 World Cup After Losing To DR Congo On Penalties – Arise News

By Reporter Ben On Nov 16, 2025

DR Congo eliminates Nigeria from the World Cup qualifiers on Sunday night after a dramatic play off in which the Super Eagles surrendered an early lead and eventually fell short in a tense penalty shootout.

Nigeria made a dream start in the third minute when Frank Onyeka’s deflected strike put them ahead, lifting the atmosphere inside the stadium. The early breakthrough opened up the game as DR Congo pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Nigeria almost doubled their lead minutes later, with Wilfred Ndidi testing goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi from distance.

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The Super Eagles suffered a setback when Victor Osimhen went down after an accidental elbow from Aaron Wan Bissaka, though the striker returned to his feet.

Nigeria continued to look dangerous on the break, but a lack of precision in the final third prevented them from capitalising on promising moments.

DR Congo gradually grew into the match and were rewarded in the thirty second minute. Alex Iwobi lost possession deep in midfield, allowing Cedric Bakambu to slide the ball across for Meschak Elia to tap home from close range and level the tie.

Nigeria ended the first half with a flurry of pressure but wasted a good free kick in stoppage time as Ademola Lookman’s delivery failed to trouble the Leopards.

A significant turning point came at the restart as Osimhen was withdrawn for Akor Adams due to injury. Nigeria struggled to retain the ball without their talisman, allowing DR Congo to dominate large spells of the second half. The visitors pushed for a winner, repeatedly forcing the Super Eagles deep into their own half and appealing strongly for a penalty as VAR checked an incident involving Arthur Masuaku and Charles Ajayi.

Nigeria introduced several substitutes, including Moses Simon and Chidera Ejuke, but failed to regain control. DR Congo continued to threaten, with substitute Brittney Cipenga almost pouncing on a poor back pass from Stanley Nwabali in the eighty third minute.

Extra time brought more pressure from DR Congo, who had a goal ruled out in the one hundred and ninth minute for a foul in the buildup. Nigeria created a rare chance when Arokodare headed over from a cross, but the home side spent most of the period defending and appeared to settle for penalties.

With no breakthrough after one hundred and twenty minutes, the match went to a penalty shootout. It began poorly for Nigeria as Calvin Bassey missed the opening kick.

However, Nwabali kept the Super Eagles alive by saving attempts from Moutoussamy and Tuanzebe. Nigeria recovered through Adams, Onyemaechi and Ejuke, but the shootout went to sudden death after both sides traded conversions.

The decisive moment arrived when Semi Ajayi failed to score Nigeria’s seventh penalty. DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba stepped up and sent Nwabali the wrong way to seal victory for the Leopards and end Nigeria’s qualification hopes.

DR Congo, however, celebrated a resilient display and a historic victory as they progressed to the next stage of the qualifiers.

With the loss, Nigeria won’t be represented at the 2026 World Cup to be staged in Canada, Mexico and the United States. It is the first time the Super Eagles will fail to qualify for back to back World Cup finals since they first qualified in 1994.

Faridah Abdulkadiri