From Penalty Misses to Goalie Substitutions: DR Congo Knock Nigeria Out of the World Cup

DR Congo's 52 Year Wait for a World Cup Appearance is Almost Over

Cast your minds back to 1974. That was the last and only time the Democratic Republic of Congo reached the World Cup finals.

Tonight, the Central African nation reached the inter-confederation play-offs for the 2026 edition of the globe's greatest tournament. The suffering side? A Nigerian team who have now failed to appear at back-to-back World Cups for the first time since Italia ‘90.

We’ll all have kids before we see Nigeria play in the World Cup again pic.twitter.com/AAQs8lrFsX

— (fan) Trey (@UTDTrey) November 16, 2025

Together, Nigeria and D.R. Congo home over 330 million people, a figure that makes up a fifth of the African continent. The fixture, which ended with a 1-1 scoreline before progressing to an intense penalty shootout, was hosted in Morocco, yet both fan bases travelled in their numbers, packing a sold-out 69,500-seater Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The events that unfolded did not fail to impress.

A Box Office Shootout

Penalties cause drama, especially when a potential place at the World Cup is on the line. The astute among us will recall that night Mohamed Salah missed in a shootout against Senegal, facing not only the pressure of World Cup qualification, but also several laser pointers from the opposition's fans.

Today was no different. Frank Onyeka’s deflected shot in the third minute had the Super Eagles dreaming of not only North America in 2026, but cruising their way there. Their chances of qualification began to dwindle as the game went on.

Frank Onyeka scores in the opening minutes for Nigeria 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/pKVAIY6cca

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 16, 2025

A Wilfried Ndidi mistake led to Meschack Elia equalising half an hour later. Nigeria’s attacking hopes were further blown when Victor Osimhen did not walk back onto the pitch for the second half, watching from the sidelines instead. The reason for his substitution is yet to be confirmed.

Congo DR get one right back! 🇨🇩 pic.twitter.com/UV2RLLdb89

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 16, 2025

After 120 minutes, Nigeria’s second extra-time game of the week, a classic penalty shootout, was upon us. Fulham’s Calvin Bassey kicked it off with a ghastly miss, firing miles over the crossbar.

Two excellent saves followed by Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali and DR Congo’s Timothy Fayulu. Nwabali was the only starter tonight who plays for a club from the continent of Africa. The Chippa United keeper has been the Super Eagles’ No.1 since 2023.

Before Fayulu became a hero for his nation, he had already endured an interesting evening after being subbed on in the 120th minute to partake in the shootout.

👇 Here are Fayulu's 2 saves during the penalty shootout that massively contributed to DR Congo victory and made him become a national hero. 🇨🇩

If DR Congo succeed in the next round, Fayulu will become the first player in FC Noah ⚪️⚫️ and Armenian Premier League 🇦🇲 history to… pic.twitter.com/InzTmEFiax

— Noah Football 🇦🇲 (@Noah_Yerevan) November 16, 2025

Noah Sadiki has been a revolutionary signing for Sunderland this season, continuing his streak of reliability by burying the fourth penalty taken.

Sevilla’s Akor Adams buried his chance for Nigeria, but a questionable run-up from Axel Tuanzebe resulted in a tame effort from the Burnley man. Six penalties taken, and the score was two apiece.

Goals began to flow as the next four participants successfully converted their spot-kicks, meaning that it was sudden death time. Hull City’s Semi Ajayi was the unfortunate victim of another spirited Fayulu save, and just like that, Mbema had the chance to win it all.

CONGO DR WIN THE CAF PLAYOFF FINAL 🇨🇩

THEY ADVANCE TO THE INTERCONTINENTAL PLAYOFFS IN MARCH WITH THEIR WORLD CUP DREAM STILL ALIVE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/z4o915J1zR

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 16, 2025

No man has made more appearances for the DR Congo than Chancel Mbemba, who crowned his 101st cap with a moment that will live with the Leopards fans forever, including the thousands going hysterical in the pouring Moroccan rain.

It had already been a theatrical week for the two nations. Nigeria were forced to extra time in the semi-finals of this mini-playoff tournament by Gabon, before an Osimhen brace and maiden international goal for Chidera Ejuke sent them through.

DR Congo required a 91st-minute captain's contribution from Mbemba against Cameroon to assure they advanced on Thursday night.

CAPTAIN MBEMBA HONORED BEFORE KICKOFF VS NIGERIA 🇨🇩💯 pic.twitter.com/X6aSMRWlw5

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) November 16, 2025

Do DR Congo Stand a Chance?

Two of DR Congo’s five potential opponents in the inter-confederation play-offs have already been decided, that pair being Bolivia and New Caledonia. The other three will be determined on Tuesday.

The AFC spot will go to either Iraq or the United Arab Emirates. The two CONCACAF spots are still very much up in the air as Honduras, Haiti, Costa Rica, Curacao, Jamaica, Suriname, and Panama are yet to discover who will clinch the three automatic World Cup spots, and who faces further tests.

FIFA rankings will play a huge factor in the inter-confederation tournament, held in Mexico next March, as the two highest-ranked sides will only have to win one game to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Currently, of the 11 teams that DR Congo could face, only Iraq, Panama, and Costa Rica sit higher than the Leopards in the FIFA standings. None of those three have confirmed their place in the inter-confederation play-offs, meaning that there is a strong chance that DRC will be one of the two nations handed the automatic spot in that final showdown.

Congolese fans vandalise the stadium, after Senegal came from 2 goals down to beat DR Congo 2-3 in the World Cup Qualifiers. pic.twitter.com/bHVzqOeNWP

— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) September 10, 2025

Less than two months ago, DR Congo fans vandalised their national stadium and looked a nation divided. Now they look prepared, having overcome two tough opponents this international break.

Who's to stop them?