World Cup (Q): DR Congo stay calm to defeat Nigeria in penalty shootout

DR Congo will represent Africa at the 2026 World Cup qualifying inter-confederation playoff after defeating Nigeria 4-3 in a penalty shootout on Sunday at the Stade Moulay El Hassan in Rabat, Morocco. Leopards captain Chancel Mbemba converted the winning penalty after the teams played to a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes.

The match began with Nigeria seizing the initiative. In the 3rd minute, a cross from the left wing created chaos in the Congolese penalty area. A failed clearance attempt fell right to Frank Onyeka, whose hard shot took a deflection of Leopards defender Axel Tuanzebe and went past goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi to give the Super Eagles the lead.

But the Leopards did not put their heads down. The Congolese team worked their way back into the match and were rewarded with an equalizer soon after the half hour mark.

A counter-attack down the right wing created space for a cross from Cédric Bakambu that Nigeria captain Wilfred Ndidi failed to control, and Meschack Elia was in the right place for an easy finish past Super Eagles keeper Stanley Nwabali.

With the teams tied 1-1 at the half, Nigeria star Victor Osimhen was substituted off at halftime and the Super Eagles struggled to generate any sort of danger in the attack. The DRC controlled play but resolute defending on both sides kept the match deadlocked through the remainder of the ninety minutes.

It was more of the same in extra time with the Super Eagles content to defend while the Congolese failed to punish their opponents’ defensive mentality. One final chance at the end of extra time saw Nwabali push away a dangerous header and penalty kicks were required to discover a winner.

Right before penalties, DRC coach Sébastien Desabre brought on backup goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu, who made his coach look like a genius as Nigeria missed their first penalty before Fayulu saved from Moses Simon on the second attempt. Nwabali responded with two saves from the first three Congolese attempts to leave the teams level at 1-1 after three rounds.

But after the teams remained tied following five rounds, Fayulu emerged as the hero by saving from Semi Ajayi on Nigeria’s sixth attempt before Mbemba blasted his penalty by Nwabali to send Congolese supporters into ecstasy. The Leopards will represent the CAF region at the six-team inter-confederation playoff tournament next March in Mexico.