Nigeria’s Super Eagles will not play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after losing to DR Congo in the intercontinental playoff.
DR Congo won 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw on Sunday in Rabat, Morocco.
Frank Onyeka scored first for Nigeria, but Meschack Elia later equalised. With no winner after extra time, the match went to penalties, where DR Congo’s goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu became the hero.
Here are four key things we observed:
1️⃣ Super Eagles Depend Too Much on Osimhen
Victor Osimhen was removed at halftime, and the team immediately looked weak and confused. The energy dropped, and Nigeria struggled to create chances. Without Osimhen, the Eagles looked like a lower–league side.
2️⃣ DR Congo Close to Making History
The Leopards have won AFCON twice (1968, 1974), but have only gone to the World Cup once, back in 1974 as Zaire. Now they are close to returning after many decades.
3️⃣ Nigeria Misses Another World Cup
This is the second World Cup in a row Nigeria will miss. Since 2006, the Super Eagles have now failed to qualify three times. Poor qualifying results from the beginning made it difficult to recover.
4️⃣ Time to Rebuild the Team
Coach Eric Chelle has shown he can do well, but Nigeria clearly needs a rebuild. Some players should be replaced, and questions remain about why Raphael Onyedika sat on the bench despite his good form in the Champions League.
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