Pius Ayinor
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will not be at the 2026 World Cup scheduled for the USA, Canada and Mexico. They lost the CAF playoff final to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday night via a penalty shootout.
The defeat in Rabat, Morocco, means Nigeria will miss back-to-back World Cups, having also failed to qualify for the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The DRC’s Leopards advance to the final intercontinental playoffs in March.
The Super Eagles took an early lead in the first half after Frank Onyeka’s shot was deflected in. But the Leopards were level after Mechak Elia pounced on a defensive error to finish past Stanley Nwabali.
Nigeria’s attack struggled, especially after star striker Victor Osimhen was substituted at halftime.
The game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes and was decided on penalties.
The shootout proved devastating for Nigeria. Despite Stanley Nwabali saving two of DRC’s efforts, critical misses from Nigerian players, including a shot over the bar by Calvin Bassey, ultimately sealed the Super Eagles’ fate.
Bassey, Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi all missed their kicks as DR Congo clinched the only ticket for Africa to the intercontinental playoffs.
DRC secured the final victory in the penalty sequence, winning the shootout 4-3.
Extrasportnigeria 
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