Nigeria failed to overcome an injury to Victor Osimhen as they lost 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in their decisive World Cup qualifier against DR Congo.
Osimhen is the leading goalscorer in the Champions League this season and, as Nigeria’s second-highest scorer of all time, he was aiming to lead the Super Eagles into the inter-confederation play-offs on Sunday.
But his involvement in the play-off final against DR Congo in Morocco lasted only 45 minutes as he hobbled off at half-time and did not reappear for the second half.
Everything had been going to plan for Nigeria when Frank Onyeka’s low shot was deflected into the net by Axel Tuanzebe after just three minutes.
But DR Congo levelled through Mechak Elia after Wilfred Ndidi failed to cut out a right-wing cross, and Nigeria struggled after Osimhen’s withdrawal.
The Super Eagles were on the back foot for much of the second half, and DR Congo then had two goals disallowed for fouls in extra time, during which Osimhen was an active figure on the touchline, attempting to marshal his team-mates.
DR Congo substituted on goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu ahead of the shoot-out, and after seeing Calvin Bassey fire wide, he then made a save to deny Moses Simon.
But DR Congo’s takers were faltering from the spot, too, and it took another stop from Fayulu, this time to thwart Semi Ajayi, to pave the way for Chancel Mbemba to send DR Congo through.
It means Osimhen will not be at next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and he must now hope for positive news on his fitness, with Galatasaray’s next Champions League match against Union Saint-Gilloise less than 10 days away.
There could also be concerns over his fitness for Nigeria’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations campaign, which begins next month.
DR Congo advance
— Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 16, 2025
Data Debrief: Super Eagles’ wings clipped
Only one African team – Cameroon – has appeared at more editions of the World Cup than Nigeria (six), though the Super Eagles will now be overtaken by Tunisia and Morocco on seven each, once next year’s tournament rolls around.
It means that Nigeria’s next chance to qualify will be for the 2030 edition, by which time it will have been 12 years since they last competed at FIFA’s flagship tournament.
DR Congo, on the other hand, are hoping to qualify for just the second time, having last done so in 1974.