Nigeria exited the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification race on Sunday after a dramatic 34 on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo, in spite of fielding a star-studded squad in a tense 1-1 draw.

Both teams qualified for the final after dramatic semi-finals. Nigeria advanced to the final after beating Gabon 4–1 in extra time on Thursday at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.

The DR Congo also defeated Cameroon 1-0  at the Al Barid Stadium to set up a final clash with Nigeria.

Frank Onyeka opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 3rd minute, before Mechak Elia equalised in the 32nd minute for the Leopards.

Nigeria and the DRC created scoring  chances, with Tolu Arokodare’s header for Nigeria and Nwabali making a crucial save from the Leopards’ free kick.

Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon had missed their chances early in the match, and Nwabali was at his best when he denied the Leopards their two penalty kicks.

Nwabali’s two saves in the shootout were not enough to cancel out misses from Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon, and Semi Ajayi.

Chancel Mbemba scored the winning penalty kick to send the Leopards into the intercontinental playoffs for the World Cup.

Both Nigeria and the DRC advanced to the play-offs after finishing second in their respective qualifying groups, with the semi-finals and final staged in Morocco.

The victory sees the Central Africans progress to the final intercontinental qualifier, which will be held next March.

The defeat marks Nigeria’s second consecutive failure at the play-off stage, following their loss to Ghana on away goals in the final qualifying round for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

It  makes it the first time Nigeria has failed to qualify for two consecutive World Cups since the country’s debut in 1994.

(NAN)