17/11/2025
Nearly cannot kill a bird but Nearly kills the Super Eagles
DR Congo extended their bid to reach the 2026 Fifa World Cup by upsetting Nigeria 4-3 on penalties following a tense 1-1 draw after extra time in the African play-off final.
Leopards captain Chancel Mbemba netted the crucial spot-kick after Timothy Fayulu had saved from Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi in the sixth round of the shootout.
Victory sees the Central Africans progress to a final intercontinental qualifier which will be held next March.
Nigeria, meanwhile, will be missing from a second successive edition of the World Cup after a poor performance in neutral Rabat.
Frank Onyeka’s deflected shot had given the West Africans the perfect start in the third minute, but Meschack Elia levelled from close range for the Congolese soon after the half hour mark.
