Super Eagles striker and Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen will miss out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the Democratic Republic of Congo stunned Nigeria to reach the inter-confederation playoffs, winning 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Rabat, Morocco — a result that laid bare another flat, error-ridden performance from the Super Eagles.
Osimhen, who was virtually the team’s on-field leader in the absence of injured captain William Troost-Ekong, kept Nigeria’s spirits high throughout the first half. But once he was substituted early in the second half, the team’s energy visibly dropped, and DR Congo gradually took control of the match.
Nigeria had made a lively start, taking the lead in the third minute when Frank Onyeka pounced on a loose clearance to fire home. But the early goal papered over deeper structural problems. DR Congo grew into the contest and deservedly equalised in the 32nd minute after Cedric Bakambu punished a sloppy Nigerian turnover, setting up Meschack Elia to slot past Stanley Nwabali.
From that moment, the Congolese looked the sharper and more organised side. They created the better chances in a tense second half, including a strong penalty shout when Noah Sadiki went down under Benjamin Fredrick’s challenge. Nwabali — one of the few Nigerian players who impressed — kept the Super Eagles afloat with several key saves, including a reflex stop to deny Bakambu’s clever back-heel attempt.
Nigeria, visibly fatigued after needing extra time to scrape past Gabon in Thursday’s semifinal, struggled to match DR Congo’s intensity. While the Congolese had beaten Cameroon inside 90 minutes and arrived fresher, Nigeria’s lack of urgency, creativity, and composure was glaring.
Extra time produced openings at both ends, but Nigeria’s tired legs and poor decision-making proved costly. The match went to penalties, where substitute goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu — introduced moments before the shootout — saved twice to put DR Congo in control. Captain Chancel Mbemba stepped up to bury the decisive kick, sealing a famous and fully deserved victory.
The result keeps DR Congo’s dream alive of returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when they competed as Zaire. They now await Thursday’s draw for the six-team inter-confederation playoffs in March, where two tickets to the expanded 48-team World Cup will be at stake.
Nine African teams — Egypt, Senegal, South Africa, Ghana, Cape Verde, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Algeria, and Tunisia — have already qualified directly. Bolivia (CONMEBOL) and New Caledonia (Oceania) are confirmed for the inter-confederation playoffs, with additional entrants to come from Asia and CONCACAF.
For Osimhen, it is a devastating blow. The 2026 tournament would have been his first World Cup, and with the next edition coming in 2030 — when he will be around 32 — the window is narrowing. Unlike his contemporaries such as Erling Haaland, whose national team is still rebuilding, Osimhen’s talent has repeatedly been overshadowed by a Super Eagles side that continues to fall short when it matters most.
