By Olatunbosun Obafemi
The Super Eagles of Nigeria fell to a painful penalty shootout defeat against DR Congo on Sunday, losing the final of the CAF World Cup playoffs at the Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
The loss seals Nigeria’s absence from the FIFA World Cup until at least 2030 – marking a 12-year gap since their last appearance in 2018.
Nigeria opened the match with promise, taking the lead inside three minutes. Frank Onyeka’s long-range drive took a decisive deflection off a DR Congo defender and nestled into the bottom corner, giving the Super Eagles an early advantage. But after the opener, Nigeria slowed their tempo and allowed the Leopards to grow into the contest. Missed half-chances from Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi meant the Super Eagles failed to extend their lead.
DR Congo capitalized in the 32nd minute following a costly midfield turnover from Iwobi. Cedric Bakambu broke down the right, delivering a cross that Nigeria failed to clear. The ball dropped to Meschack Elia, who beat goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from close range to level the score.
The second half proved disastrous for Nigeria. Victor Osimhen did not return after the break, and his absence immediately destabilized the team. Without their main striker, the Super Eagles’ pressing structure collapsed and their transitions became disjointed. DR Congo took full control of midfield, pushing Nigeria deeper and forcing numerous defensive errors. Nwabali survived a major scare after a misplaced pass nearly gifted Congo a goal, rescued only by an offside call.
Extra time brought more pressure. The Leopards thought they had scored in the 110th minute when Noah Sadiki found the net, but the effort was ruled out for a foul. In the dying seconds, Nwabali produced a remarkable save to deny Chancel Mbemba and send the match into penalties.
The shootout was a nightmare for Nigeria. Early misses from Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon set the tone, while Semi Ajayi’s sudden-death miss sealed their fate. Although Nwabali managed two saves, DR Congo held their nerve, with Mbemba converting the decisive kick.
Beyond the defeat, the performance exposed worrying gaps. Lookman and Chukwueze looked off-form, Nwabali showed inconsistency, and Nigeria’s midfield faltered under pressure. Most concerning was the team’s inability to function without Osimhen, highlighting a lack of depth and tactical alternatives.
The loss raises urgent questions for Nigerian football. With the next World Cup four years away, a major rebuild now appears inevitable.
