Nigeria will not play at the 2026 World Cup after they were beaten 4-3 on penalties by DR Congo in a qualifying play-off.
Nigeria: 3 ❌❌✅✅✅❌ (Scored: Adams, Onyemaechi, Ejuke; Missed/saved: Bassey, Simon, Ajayi.
DR Congo: 4 ❌✅❌✅✅✅ (Scored: Sadiki, Mayele, Balikwisha, Mbemba; Saved: Moutoussamy, Tuanzebe.
Nigeria's Frank Onyeka scored early (3’) before Meschak Elia equalised (32’) as the match finished 1-1 over 120 minutes.
DR Congo held their nerve in the shootout in Rabat, Morocco and progress to the inter-confederation play-offs in March 2026.
After the match, Nigeria manager Eric Chelle confronted several DR Congo staff members and had to be separated.
Chelle then alleged DR Congo players had used ‘voodoo’ during the penalties, something a DR Congo representative later denied.