Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have ended in heartbreak after the Super Eagles fell to DR Congo in a dramatic penalty shootout during the African play-offs final on Sunday. The tightly fought match finished 1-1 after both regular time and extra time, setting the stage for a tense shootout.
Despite a valiant effort, the Super Eagles were edged out 4-3 on penalties by the Leopards, who secured Africa’s lone slot in the intercontinental play-offs scheduled for March next year. The defeat means Nigeria will not feature at the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
The result marks a major disappointment for Nigerian fans, who had hoped to see the national team return to football’s biggest stage. DR Congo, meanwhile, will now prepare for the final hurdle on the road to the World Cup as they look to secure a historic qualification.
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