Nigeria’s hopes of returning to the World Cup were brutally cut short on Sunday night as DR Congo defeated the Super Eagles 4–3 on penalties after a tense 1–1 draw in regulation and extra time. It was a bruising evening for a Nigerian side that started brightly but faded as the game wore on—made worse by the early loss of their talisman, Victor Osimhen, to injury.
Fast Start, Bitter Ending
The Super Eagles struck early, taking the lead inside the opening three minutes when Frank Onyeka’s long-range effort took a wicked deflection and wrong-footed the Congolese goalkeeper. Nigeria looked in control in the opening stages, with the crowd roaring in anticipation of a long-awaited World Cup return.
But DR Congo gradually grew into the match and found their equalizer just after the half-hour mark through Meschack Elia, who pounced on a defensive lapse and finished calmly past Stanley Nwabali.
From that point, the momentum shifted.
Osimhen Forced Off – A Turning Point
Nigeria’s night took a critical turn when Victor Osimhen failed to return for the second half, having picked up a knock following a heavy collision earlier in the opening period. Team officials confirmed he was removed as a precaution due to injury concerns.
His substitution left Nigeria blunt in attack, with the Super Eagles struggling to stretch the Congolese defense or maintain pressure. The Napoli star’s absence was felt immediately as the team’s rhythm dropped and goal-scoring chances dried up.
Nail-Biting Extra Time and Penalties
Neither team could break the deadlock through a tense second half and an even more nerve-shredding extra-time period. Both sides missed half-chances, both were visibly fatigued, and both looked like they were bracing for the lottery of penalties.
In the shootout, DR Congo were clinical. Nigeria were not.
A missed Nigerian kick proved decisive, and the Congolese converted their final attempt to seal a famous victory—sending their players into wild celebrations and leaving the Super Eagles stunned and deflated on the pitch.
For Nigeria, it marks a second consecutive World Cup qualification failure, an unthinkable outcome for a footballing powerhouse.
Voodoo Allegation Sparks Controversy
In a twist that overshadowed the post-match reactions, head coach Éric Chelle claimed that a member of DR Congo’s technical staff engaged in voodoo-like rituals during the penalty shootout. Chelle said he witnessed gestures on the sidelines before each Congolese kick and confronted opposition staff after the match.
The claims immediately went viral, with fans divided between frustration, disbelief, and calls for CAF to investigate. DR Congo officials dismissed the allegations as “emotional reactions” after a difficult loss.
Nigeria Face Hard Questions
Another missed World Cup, an injured star striker, and now a post-match controversy — this defeat cuts deep for Nigerian football. Calls for structural changes, accountability, and a clearer football identity are already intensifying.
For now, the story is simple: Nigeria is out. DR Congo is through. And the Super Eagles must once again rebuild from disappointment.
