DR Congo clinched a dramatic victory over Nigeria on Sunday night, winning a gripping penalty shootout after a fiercely contested CAF World Cup play-off final in Rabat. With a World Cup spot at stake, both teams battled through 120 emotionally charged minutes, producing a match defined by intensity, discipline and razor-thin margins. In the end, it was the Leopards who held their nerve when it mattered most.
The scoring came early and set the tone: Frank Onyeka fired Nigeria into the lead inside three minutes with a low finish that gave the Super Eagles the perfect start, while Meschack Elia levelled for DR Congo on 32 minutes after pouncing on a loose moment in the box. Those strikes — a flash of early drama and a composed reply — framed a tight, tactical contest that neither side could put beyond doubt in normal time.
As the second half unfolded, DR Congo gradually exerted more control in midfield, winning second balls and frustrating Nigeria’s attempts to find rhythm in the final third. Nigeria still carried danger on transitions and almost snatched victory in the closing stages of normal time with a rapid counter, only for Congo’s goalkeeper to make a sharp stop. Extra time produced more nervy moments, but with both teams wary of leaving themselves exposed, clear chances were few and far between.
The penalty shootout brought all the drama. Nigeria’s hopes were dented early when Calvin Bassey clipped the opening kick over the crossbar, immediately shifting momentum. The pressure mounted as Moses Simon then saw his penalty superbly kept out by Congo keeper Timothy Fayulu; shortly afterwards Semi Ajayi also had his spot-kick saved by the same man. Those pivotal saves — and Bassey’s miss — proved decisive despite Nigeria converting their other attempts.
DR Congo remained composed from the spot, their takers steady under pressure and Fayulu’s saves providing the platform for jubilation. When the Leopards’ final penalty was dispatched with cool precision, scenes of elation followed as players and supporters celebrated a famous win that sends DR Congo into the inter-continental play-offs. It was a result forged from organisation, belief and clutch moments when they mattered.
For Nigeria, the defeat is agonising. The Super Eagles showed fight, structure and moments of real quality across 120 minutes, but the early penalty miss and two saved kicks in the shootout proved fatal. The result means Nigeria will miss the World Cup for the second consecutive edition, a bitter outcome for a nation with such deep footballing pedigree. For DR Congo, this is a night to remember — a testament to discipline, resilience and the fine margins that define knockout football.
