DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba delivered the defining moment in Rabat as he dispatched the decisive penalty in a 4–3 shootout win over Nigeria to book the Leopards’ place in the FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Playoff and bring an abrupt end to the Super Eagles’ 2026 qualifying campaign.
The drama came after a draining 120 minutes that finished 1–1. Nigeria struck first, Frank Onyeka pouncing with just three minutes gone to give his side what head coach Eric Sekou Chelle later described as “the ideal start in a game of this magnitude.” But DR Congo absorbed the blow well, growing steadily into the match before Mechak Elia restored parity on 32 minutes with a superb finish.
Both teams carved out half-chances but the match drifted into a tactical arm-wrestle, neither able to take command before the goals.
The face off shifted sharply after the break when Victor Osimhen failed to emerge for the second half. His withdrawal blunted Nigeria’s threat and emboldened DR Congo, who pushed higher up the pitch and forced the Super Eagles onto the back foot.
Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali endured what he later admitted was “a night of highs and lows.” He nearly handed DR Congo a second goal with a stray pass but redeemed himself with a crucial stop in extra time, keeping Nigeria alive as their attacks increasingly fizzled out.
With neither side able to force a winner as penalties beckoned and Nigeria’s ordeal began immediately. Misses from Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon left them hunting, only for Nwabali to drag them back into it with two superb saves. The shootout went into sudden death, where Semi Ajayi sent Nigeria’s sixth effort wide.
That left Mbemba with the task of settling it. The captain strode forward and, with an air of authority, swept home the winning kick to trigger wild Congolese celebrations while the Super Eagles slumped in disbelief.
DR Congo now progress to next year’s Intercontinental Playoff, joining six other hopefuls in the final scramble for a place at the 2026 World Cup.
By: Pascal Amoah
