Nigeria's World Cup hopes crushed as Leopards deliver decisive blow in Rabat

The Super Eagles, armed with stars like Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman, were dreaming of World Cup glory, but DR Congo had other plans.

In a pulsating, heart-stopping encounter, the African WC playoffs' showdown in Rabat on Sunday night slipped into a penalty shootout where fate favored the underdogs!

Timothy Fayulu, the Leopards' reserve goalkeeper - who came on at the 120th minute - became a legend overnight, saving two decisive spot-kicks and handing DR Congo a dramatic 4-3 victory.

The dream of the Super Eagles, once so bright, ended in Rabat's downpour, while DR Congo now looks to recreate the magic of 1974 and keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Straight from the kickoff, it was clear this would be no ordinary night.

Just three minutes in, after a calamitous mistake in Congo's defence, Frank Onyeka slotted the opener.

For a fleeting moment, Nigeria sensed an easy path, a chance to put pressure on the visitors.

But the Super Eagles wasted chance after chance. Lookman's delivery missed the mark, Osimhen's normally lethal finishing faltered.

Slowly, inexorably, DR Congo sensed their opportunity.

And patient coach Sebastien Desabre made his moves. Masuaku, Mukau, and Meshack Elia were introduced, and the game shifted.

A loose ball in midfield, a burst down the right flank from Bakambu, and a deflection off Ndidi set up Elia to calmly level the score at 1-1 around the half-hour mark.

The momentum swung, and DR Congo began to play with belief.

Early in the second half, Nigeria's stars fell one by one: Osimhen was subbed off after limping, Chukwueze followed, and Lookman also retreated from the field.

The once confident squad appeared drained and disjointed, while Congo pressed, dominated possession, and created the clearer chances.

Yet as extra time ticked on, the teams seemed resigned - it all came down to penalties.

Then came Desabre's masterstroke. In the very last minute, Timothy Fayulu, the Leopards' backup custodian, was introduced for one decisive task.

And what he delivered was unforgettable. Fayulu saved two penalties, thwarting Nigeria's hopes, while Chancel Mbemba's calm sixth penalty sealed the night for DR Congo. A 4-3 win on penalties!

The Congolese players erupted into the storm, celebrating a victory that will see them advance to the intercontinental playoff scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico.

They are joining Bolivia and New Caledonia, with CONCACAF representatives still to be confirmed.

DR Congo are now just two steps away from returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when they competed as Zaire.

Nigeria, meanwhile, walked away soaked, stunned, and heartbroken - a generation of stars undone by missed opportunities and one unforgettable night in Rabat.

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - AFRICA

Play-off finals

Sunday

Nigeria - DR Congo 3-4 after penalties (1-1)

/Onyeka 3 - Elia 32/