Nigeria Super Eagles will not be in the 2026 World Cup after losing their CAF World Cup Playoff final against the Democratic Republic of Congo ok Sunday night, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The two sides settled for a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes and extra time before Congo edged the encounter 4-3 on penalties at the Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan.
Nigeria were up and running in the early minutes of the game after Frank Onyeka put them in the lead in the third minute.
Zaidu Sanusi's cross was cleared, deflected by a DR Congo defender, but the ball fell to Onyeka, who lashed on to the ball that deflected into the bottom corner.
It could have been two after Wilfred Ndidi's shot was saved and Samuel Chukwueze missed from close range the cross of Ademola Lookman.
Unfortunately, Congo levelled in the 32nd minute in what was the first real chance through Mechak Elia.
Alex Iwobi was caught in possession for a Congolese attack that saw a cross that was not properly dealt with by Ndidi for Elia to put the ball at the back of the net.
The first half remained one-all at the end of the whistle.
An injury to Victor Osimhen meant Nigeria started the second half with an early substitution as Akor Adams came in for him.
The Congolese dominated the second half, but the score remained the same till the end of the second half.
The start of the first half of the extra time saw the Congolese score, but it was ruled out after an infringement on goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
There was still nothing to separate the two sides after 120 minutes, before the game moved to penalties.
Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon, and Semi Ajayi missed their kicks as the Super Eagles' hopes of another round of qualifying series were dashed.
Uche Doie