Olushola Omogbehin
The Super Eagle’s road to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, was terminated on Sunday on a sad note by the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rabat in a 4–3 penalty shootout defeat.
The match began with a clear statement from Nigeria when just in three minutes to the opening, Frank Onyeka capitalized on a defensive mistake and put the Super Eagles in front.
That hopeful moment did not however last when in the 32nd minute, Meschack Elia leveled the score after a flowing team move that dismantled Nigeria’s back line. The game then turned into a fast-paced, back-and-forth battle.
The replacement of Osimhen in the second half which was due to injury brought more surprises for Nigeria as Nwabali denied Bakambu at the near post in the 54th minute as the Real Betis striker attempted to sneak a corner kick into the keeper’s bottom right corner.
Nigeria barely created any chance to divide their opponents but in the 83rd minute, there was panic at the back for the Eagles when Nwabali almost gifted DR Congo but went down to make a vital block before the offside flag came to his rescue.
DR Congo too had their moment of frustrations as they had the ball at the back of the net twice in extra time but canceled due to fouls in the build-ups – Fiston Mayele fouled Nwabali before sending home a loose ball in the 95th minute.
In the penalty shootout, DR Congo converted four of their attempts. Nigeria missed twice thereby confirming their elimination from the 2026 world cup with a 4–3 final score.
At the end, Super Eagles were left shattered by yet another World Cup heartbreak making it two world cup in a roll without Nigeria.
