DR Congo attain inter-confederation playoffs for 2026 World Cup after beating favourites Nigeria on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Printed On 16 Nov 2025
The Democratic Republic of the Congo saved their hopes of a World Cup place alive as they edged Nigeria 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw on the finish of additional time to win the African qualifying playoffs in Morocco.
DR Congo now await the draw on Thursday for the inter-confederation playoffs in March, the place six groups will chase two locations on the 48-team finals.
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Captain Chancel Mbemba transformed the decisive kick on Sunday after Congolese substitute goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu, introduced on a minute earlier than the shootout, made two saves.
Frank Onyeka had Nigeria forward within the third minute, however Meschack Elia equalised for the 2 sides to be degree 1-1 after further time.
The mini-tournament in Rabat was for the most effective runners-up throughout the 9 African qualifying teams, whose fixtures have been accomplished final month with the 9 winners mechanically reserving a berth on the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and america subsequent yr.
Nigeria, who’ve been to 6 earlier World Cups, have been off to an ideal begin because the Congolese cleared an early cross however solely onto the sting of their penalty space, the place Onyeka snapped up the ball and powered house an effort, helped into the web by a slight deflection off Axel Tuanzebe.
However the Congolese may have been degree inside 9 minutes had Ngal’ayel Mukau not put his close-in effort over the crossbar after Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali had flapped on the ball.
They did equalise within the thirty second minute after Alex Iwobi had been stripped of possession contained in the Congolese half, and a fast counter noticed Cedric Bakambu sq. for Elia to attain regardless of the efforts of Nigeria captain Wilfred Ndidi to intercept the ball.
A intelligent back-heel at a nook early within the second half from Bakambu noticed Nwabali make a pointy cease, and there regarded a good penalty shout for the Congolese as Noah Sadiki was upended by Benjamin Fredrick within the Nigeria field within the fifty fifth minute, however the referee didn’t present any curiosity, and there was no VAR verify.
DR Congo regarded extra formidable as the competition wore on, but it surely was characterised by a cautious strategy from either side, eager to not make any errors with a lot at stake.
Nigeria needed extra time to get previous Gabon of their Thursday semifinal and regarded way more fatigued than their opponents, who beat Cameroon inside 90 minutes of their semi later the identical night time.
There have been two alternatives in further time on both finish, with Nigerian substitute Tolu Arokodare heading over, after which with the final effort of the sport, Mbemba had his effort saved by Nwabali.
DR Congo went on to carry their nerve within the shootout and nonetheless have an opportunity to compete at their first World Cup since 1974, when the nation was nonetheless often known as Zaire.
Egypt, Senegal, South Africa, Ghana, Cape Verde, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Algeria and Tunisia have already certified instantly for the 2026 World Cup from Africa.
Bolivia from South America and New Caledonia from Oceania have already reached the six-team continental playoffs.
In Asia, United Arab Emirates host Iraq of their second leg on Tuesday to resolve one other playoff entrant. The primary leg was 1-1.
Additionally included would be the greatest two group runners-up from the North American, Central American and Caribbean federations, as soon as the ultimate matches of the qualifying rounds finish on Tuesday.
Europe has its personal playoff system for the remaining non-automatic berths for the 48-team World Cup.
