Nigeria Knocked Out of 2026 World Cup after Penalty Shoot-Out Loss to DR Congo ¡

By Michael Ehindero

Nigeria will miss a second consecutive FIFA World Cup after falling to DR Congo in a penalty shootout in the CAF playoff final.

Frank Onyeka gave the Super Eagles an early lead, but Meschack Elia equalised before halftime. Both sides failed to find a winner in a tense second half and 30 minutes of extra time, leaving the match tied 1–1.

DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba converted the decisive penalty to send his team to the inter-confederation playoff, where they will seek their first World Cup appearance since 1974.

Mbemba had also scored the late winner in Congo’s 1–0 victory over Cameroon in Thursday’s semifinal, and once again emerged as the hero in the final.


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