FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CAF

Nigeria vs Congo DR, 2026 World Cup Qualifying - CAF, Playoff Final

· Congo DR win 4-3 on penalties
  • 3': Frank Onyeka
FT - Penalties
1 - 1
Congo DR win 4-3 on penalties
  • 32': Meschack Elia

Nigeria out of World Cup after shootout loss to Congo

Nigeria will miss a second straight World Cup after losing to DR Congo in a penalty shootout in the CAF World Cup playoff final.

Match Timeline

  • 0': Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
  • 0': First Half begins.
  • 3': Goal! Nigeria 1, Congo DR 0. Frank Onyeka (Nigeria) right footed shot.
  • 32': Goal! Nigeria 1, Congo DR 1. Meschack Elia (Congo DR) left footed shot.
  • 45': Fourth official has announced 3 minutes of added time.
  • 45'+4': First Half ends, Nigeria 1, Congo DR 1.
  • 45': Second Half begins Nigeria 1, Congo DR 1.
  • 45': Substitution, Nigeria. Akor Adams replaces Victor Osimhen.
  • 57': Substitution, Nigeria. Chidera Ejuke replaces Ademola Lookman.
  • 57': Substitution, Nigeria. Moses Simon replaces Samuel Chukwueze.
  • 59': Substitution, Congo DR. Fiston Mayele replaces Cédric Bakambu.
  • 71': Substitution, Congo DR. Brian Cipenga replaces Meschack Elia.
  • 71': Substitution, Congo DR. Edo Kayembe replaces Ngal'ayel Mukau.
  • 77': Substitution, Nigeria. Tolu Arokodare replaces Alex Iwobi.
  • 90': Fourth official has announced 3 minutes of added time.
  • 90'+4': Second Half ends, Nigeria 1, Congo DR 1.
  • 90': First Half Extra Time begins Nigeria 1, Congo DR 1.
  • 96': Substitution, Nigeria. Bruno Onyemaechi replaces Zaidu Sanusi.
  • 105'+1': Fourth official has announced 1 minutes of added time.
  • 105'+2': First Half Extra Time ends, Nigeria 1, Congo DR 1.
  • 105': Second Half Extra Time begins Nigeria 1, Congo DR 1.
  • 105': Substitution, Congo DR. Michel-Ange Balikwisha replaces Nathanaël Mbuku.
  • 115': Substitution, Nigeria. Chidozie Awaziem replaces Tolu Arokodare.
  • 120': Substitution, Congo DR. Timothy Fayulu replaces Lionel Mpasi.
  • 120'+1': Fourth official has announced 1 minutes of added time.
  • 120'+2': Second Half Extra Time ends, Nigeria 1, Congo DR 1.
  • 120': Penalty Shootout begins Nigeria 1, Congo DR 1.
  • 120': Penalty missed. Calvin Bassey (Nigeria) right footed shot is just a bit too high.
  • 120': Penalty saved. Samuel Moutoussamy (Congo DR) left footed shot saved in the centre of the goal.
  • 120': Penalty saved. Moses Simon (Nigeria) right footed shot saved in the centre of the goal.
  • 120': Goal! Nigeria 1, Congo DR 1(1). Noah Sadiki (Congo DR) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the high centre of the goal.
  • 120': Goal! Nigeria 1(1), Congo DR 1(1). Akor Adams (Nigeria) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
  • 120': Penalty saved. Axel Tuanzebe (Congo DR) right footed shot saved in the centre of the goal.
  • 120': Goal! Nigeria 1(2), Congo DR 1(1). Bruno Onyemaechi (Nigeria) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the centre of the goal.
  • 120': Goal! Nigeria 1(2), Congo DR 1(2). Fiston Mayele (Congo DR) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
  • 120': Goal! Nigeria 1(3), Congo DR 1(2). Chidera Ejuke (Nigeria) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the high centre of the goal.
  • 120': Goal! Nigeria 1(3), Congo DR 1(3). Michel-Ange Balikwisha (Congo DR) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
  • 120': Penalty saved. Semi Ajayi (Nigeria) right footed shot saved in the bottom right corner.
  • 120': Goal! Nigeria 1(3), Congo DR 1(4). Chancel Mbemba (Congo DR) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
  • 120': Penalty Shootout ends, Nigeria 1(3), Congo DR 1(4).
  • 0': Match ends, Nigeria 1(3), Congo DR 1(4).

Game Information

Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CAF

Venue: Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah
Location: Rabat, Morocco

Line-Ups

NGA Nigeria (4-3-3)

No. Name
23 Stanley Nwabali (GK)
21 Calvin Bassey
6 Semi Ajayi
3 Zaidu Sanusi
2 Benjamin Fredrick
4 Wilfred Ndidi
17 Alex Iwobi
8 Frank Onyeka
11 Samuel Chukwueze
7 Ademola Lookman
9 Victor Osimhen

COD Congo DR (4-1-4-1)

No. Name
1 Lionel M'Pasi (GK)
4 Axel Tuanzebe
22 Chancel Mbemba
8 Samuel Moutoussamy
14 Arthur Masuaku
2 Aaron Wan-Bissaka
6 Ngal'ayel Mukau
11 Noah Sadiki
7 Nathanaël Mbuku
13 Meschack Elia
17 Cédric Bakambu

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