Nigeria’s World Cup dream is over after losing the Confederation of African Football (CAF) second round World Cup play-off final to DR Congo on penalties. After 120 minutes where the two nations could not be separated, it was the Leopards who outlasted the Super Eagles at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
Chancel Mbemba, who dramatically scored in the 91st minute as DR Congo beat Cameroon in the semi-final to set up this winner-take-all fixture, converted the winning penalty after substitute goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu had saved from Semi Ajayi in sudden death.
Nigeria took the lead as early as the third minute through Frank Onyeka’s deflected strike, but Meschak Elia equalised shortly after the half hour mark and that proved to be the end of the scoring until the shootout as DR Congo confirmed their status as Africa’s sole representative at FIFA's inter-confederation play-offs which take place early next year where six sides battle for two World Cup tickets. Follow Nigeria vs DR Congo back below with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog!
Nigeria vs DR Congo latest news
- GOAL! Elia equalises for DR Congo
- GOAL! Onyeka puts Nigeria ahead early on
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMbemba steps up and scores!
DR Congo eliminate Nigeria.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSudden death now!
Ajayi misses and DR Congo have the chance to win it.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneDR Congo must score on they are out!
Balikwisha makes no mistake.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:52 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTime for the fifth round of penalties - pressure is on!
Ejuke scores!
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:51 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneF. Mayele scores!
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneOnyemaechi scores!
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:49 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTuanzebe has his penalty saved!
We are level again!
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:48 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAdams must score...and he does!
Nigeria up and running.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:47 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSadiki scores!
DR Congo take the lead in the shootout.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSimon is next up...he misses!
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMoutoussamy has his penalty saved!
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:44 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBassey misses!
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:43 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCalvin Bassey steps up first...
Penalties
21:42 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria have won the coin toss and will go first in the penalty shootout.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:37 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePenalties will decide tonight’s play-off final!
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne120+1 min: Nwabali is called into action to tip Mbemba’s header around the post! Almost late drama.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne120 min: Free-kick to DR Congo after a clumsy challenge from Adams.
Change of goalkeeper for DR Congo as Fayulu replaces Mpasi.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne118 min: Osimhen is on the touchline doing his best Cristiano Ronaldo impression by attempting to coach his team-mates.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne117 min: DR Congo on the attack but they have less than three minutes to find a goal otherwise this play-off final will be decided by penalties.
Nigeria look to be playing for a shootout.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne115 min: Another Nigeria substitution as Awaziem replaces Arokodare.
That is a strange one, you would have expected the striker to be one of the penalty takers.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne112 min: Fredrick has had a tough night out there at right-back and he’s gone down with what looks to be a touch of cramp.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne110 min: Only one side trying to win this game outright and it’s DR Congo who continue to ask questions of this Nigeria defence.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne109 min: GOA....NOOO!
DR Congo think they have taken the lead but Sadiki is judged to have fouled Onyemaechi before the ball crossed the line.
Another huge let-off for Nigeria.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway in extra-time. Mbuku has been replaced by Balikwisha as DR Congo freshen things up.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:19 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has a very good record from the penalty spot. In fact, he is the Super Eagles’ regular penalty taker.
The defender is on the bench, surely he will make an appearance soon.
HALF-TIME!
21:18 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHalf-time in extra-time, still no change to the scoreline.
A penalty shootout feels inevitable at this point.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne105 min: One minute has been signalled at the end of the first period of extra-time.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne102 min: Finally a chance for Nigeria as Arokodare gets free in the middle but heads Onyemaechi’s cross over the bar. Better from the Super Eagles.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne101 min: The chances are falling to DR Congo as F. Mayele fires over from inside the box.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne99 min: Very long time since Nigeria had a shot on goal.
Adams and Arokodare have struggled to get in the game since coming on, in their defence they have been starved of service.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne97 min: CHANCE!
Cross to the back post finds B. Cipenga and he tries to cushion a header into the path of F. Mayele in the middle, but Nwabali reads the situation and collects the ball.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne96 min: Nigeria make their first chance of the extra-time period.
ON: Onyemaechi
OFF: Zaidu
Just a fresh pair of legs at left-back.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne94 min: Good move from DR Congo, but once again they are let down by the final ball.
F. Mayele has the ball in the net, he runs off to celebrate but the whistle had long gone for a foul on Nwabali.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
21:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne92 min: It’s not much, but Nigeria already look much sharper as they put a few passes together - did not see a lot of that during the second half.
KICK-OFF!
21:01 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRight then, for a third time tonight, we are underway in the African World Cup play-off final.
30 more minutes.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:59 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneDR Congo have also taken off Bakambu and Elia - the two forwards who combined for their equaliser.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:57 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria’s class told during extra-time against Gabon on Thursday, though they do not have Victor Osimhen to call upon this time.
EXTRA-TIME!
20:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFull-time in Rabat and extra-time will follow.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+2 min: Oh dear, Zaidu puts a cross straight out of play and there are groans from large sections of the crowd. Think many have become fed up with a lack of quality.
Fredrick then makes a misjudgment and concedes a corner which Nwabali comes and collects.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90 min: Three minutes of time added on. Can someone make themselves a hero?
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne89 min: CHANCE!
B. Cipenga picks out Wan-Bissaka in the area, the West Ham defender attempts an overhead kick but can’t connect with the ball.
What a goal that would have been!
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne88 min: For all of DR Congo’s pressure in this second half, can’t recall Nwabali making a save of note. Mind you, the Nigeria goalkeeper did almost gift the Leopards the lead.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne85 min: Into the final five minutes, you get the feeling one goal will be enough to avoid extra-time.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne83 min: CHANCE!
Nwabali nearly gifts DR Congo a goal with a poor back pass but B. Cipenga can’t make the most of it.
Huge let-off for Nigeria!
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne82 min: Nigeria need better delivery from the wide areas as Simon and Ejuke both put in crosses that neither Arokodare and Adams can contest.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne79 min: The crowd have become rather subdued in recent minutes, a lack of clear goalscoring opportunities at either end must be a reason for that.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne78 min: Chelle opting for a simple 4-4-2 with two giants up front. Will this change make Nigeria a bit more threatening?
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne76 min: Another Nigeria change as Arokodare replaces Iwobi.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne74 min: Momentum has swung back in DR Congo’s favour as they are forcing Nigeria to defend. Corner comes in, but the delivery is poor and Moutoussamy then looks for the spectacular but gets it all wrong.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne73 min: Onyeka is back on his feet again after treatment.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne71 min: F. Mayele contests an aerial duel but catches Onyeka instead and the Nigeria goalscorer is being treated for a head injury.
DR Congo make a double change as Mukau and Elia make way for E. Kayembe and B. Cipenga
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne68 min: We have reached the midway point of the second half and there’s nothing to separate these two nations.
DR Congo have looked the more likely to score the next goal as Nigeria are struggling without Osimhen.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne65 min: Adams introduces himself to Mbemba by attempting to run straight through the DR Congo captain.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne64 min: Great defending at the back post by Zaidu as Nigeria survive a scare.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne61 min: Nigeria have been able to take the sting out of DR Congo’s attack. That said, the Super Eagles do look rather lost without Osimhen.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne59 min: DR Congo change.
OFF: Bakambu
ON: F. Mayele
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne57 min: Double change for Nigeria.
OFF: Lookman and Chukwueze
ON: Ejuke and Simon.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne56 min: DR Congo are knocking on the door, Mbuku is in space in the are but can’t sort out his feet and Ajayi is able to make a fine tackle.
Huge penalty claim as Sadiki goes over in the box. VAR to check this.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne55 min: Nigeria have resorted to pumping the ball long, but with nobody up field managing to make it stick, DR Congo are able to keep the pressure on.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne54 min: Sadiki finds a bit of space and shoots but his effort is deflected behind for a corner from which Nwabali has to be alert to stop the ball from sneaking in at his near post.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne51 min: A fairly lacklustre start to the second half with Nigeria trying to figure out how to play without Osimhen.
DR Congo try to catch out the Super Eagles but Sadiki’s cross is too high for Bakambu and Zaidu watches the ball go out for a goal kick.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne49 min: Adams has come up with some important goals for Nigeria in recent games, but this is a different type of pressure as he is filling in for Osimhen.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne46 min: Interesting change at the start of the second half with Akor Adams replacing Victor Osimhen.
That has to be injury related, huge blow for Nigeria.
KICK-OFF!
20:06 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway in Rabat.
Can one side find a winner in the next 45 minutes, or are we heading to extra-time?
HERE WE GO!
20:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe teams are back out at the Moulay Hassan Stadium!
Second half will be underway shortly.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
20:02 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLooking at both benches, there is a strong argument that Nigeria have the greater resources to call upon.
Akor Adams, Moses Simon, Tolu Arokodare and Chidera Ejuke are all waiting in reserve.
How long will Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle leave it before making some changes?
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
19:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCredit to DR Congo, they did not fall apart after conceding that early goal and equalised just after the half hour mark.
Meschak Elia justified his inclusion in the starting XI.
Congo DR get one right back! 🇨🇩 pic.twitter.com/UV2RLLdb89
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 16, 2025
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
19:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFrank Onyeka is largely responsible for Nigeria qualifying for the play-offs and he opened the scoring tonight after just three minutes.
Wicked deflection, but they all count.
Frank Onyeka scores in the opening minutes for Nigeria 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/pKVAIY6cca
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 16, 2025
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
19:52 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFans inside the stadium who have not popped out for half-time refreshments are being treated to some music and a light show!
HALF-TIME
19:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria 1-1 DR Congo
Frank Onyeka’s third minute goal is cancelled out by Meschak Elia and it’s all square at the break.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
19:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45+2 min: Free-kick to DR Congo in a really threatening position as Elia feels contact from Bassey and goes down.
Osimhen is back there helping out and makes the clearance.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
19:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45 min: Three additional minutes have been signalled at the end of the first-half.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
19:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne44 min: Quick feet from Lookman sets up a chance for Iwobi whose effort is deflected. Clearance falls to Bassey who skips past one tackle before being brought down.
Free-kick in a promising position for Nigeria right on the stroke of half-time.
Lookman takes but his delivery is poor.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
19:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne41 min: DR Congo are certainly targeting Fredrick down their left-hand side.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
19:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne40 min: Chukwueze attempts to trick his way past Masuaku but ends up confusing himself and plays the ball out of play.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
19:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne38 min: Bassey almost gets something on a corner but DR Congo manage to scramble the ball clear.
Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
19:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne36 min: Elia marks his return to the DR Congo starting XI with a goal, though a lot of credit must go to Bakamby for excellent centre-forward play.
Ndidi almost cut out the cross, but the Nigeria captain couldn’t stretch enough.
GOAL! Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo | Meschak Elia ‘32
19:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne32 min: DR CONGO EQUALISE!
Iwobi is caught in possession and DR Congo pounce as Bakambu puts the ball on a plate for Meschak Elia who taps home from close range.
Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
19:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne31 min: Osimhen gets away from Tuanzebe in the right channel but his ball across the face of goal lacks power and Mpasi dives on to the ball.
Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
19:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne29 min: Sloppy pass from Lookman puts Nigeria on the back foot and forces Chukwueze to come over and foul Elia to stop a DR Congo attack down the right.
Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
19:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne27 min: Much better delivery from a corner this time, Tuanzebe gets up to meet the ball but Nigeria defend it well.
Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
19:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne24 min: Nigeria make a complete mess of a promising attack as Lookman puts the ball into the middle but Chukwueze and Onyeka get in each other’s way. Better communication needed there.
Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
19:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne22 min: DR Congo have won a number of free-kicks and corner so far tonight, but the delivery has often let them down. Nwabali flapped at the first set-piece, yet he’s not been put under any serious pressure since.
Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
19:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne20 min: Ndidi is sensing a goal tonight, that is his second strike of the tie and this time it’s on target but Mpasi makes a comfortable save to deny the Nigeria captain.
Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
19:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne18 min: A disappointing end to a promising set-piece for DR Congo as Osimhen gets his head to the initial delivery before the Super Eagles win a free-kick to end the pressure.
Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
19:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne17 min: Wan-Bissaka does well to keep a DR Congo attack alive but the Leopards can’t generate a shot at goal with the Super Eagles defending well.
Here is a chance to load the box as Masuaku wins a free-kick after being fouled by Fredrick.
Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
19:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne15 min: Nigeria are getting a lot of joy pressing from the front as DR Congo goalkeeper Mpasi, has twice, put the ball out of play when closed down by a Super Eagles player.
Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
19:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne13 min: Nigeria’s turn to threaten from a set-piece, but Chukwueze over hits the delivery and DR Congo have a goal kick instead.
Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
19:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne12 min: Zaidu gives away a free-kick in a dangerous area and Nwabali makes a mess of the cross but his blushes are spared as Mukau fires the rebound over.
Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
19:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne11 min: Iwobi’s positioning for Nigeria tonight is interesting. He is not quite playing behind Osimhen, but rather more to the left with Lookman further forward down that side.
Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
19:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne8 min: Nigeria look to double their lead but Ndidi puts his effort from just outside the area well wide. Decent opportunity that.
Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
19:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne6 min: Concern for Nigeria as Osimhen is down and requires treatment after being struck by Wan-Bissaka’s elbow. Totally accidental and the Nigeria forward is back up on his feet.
Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
19:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne5 min: That early goal really does open up the game as DR Congo have to commit players forward in search of an equaliser and that could play into Nigeria’s hands.
GOAL! Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo | Frank Onyeka ‘3
19:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne3 min: NIGERIA LEAD!
The dream start for Nigeria as Frank Onyeka’s deflected effort breaks the deadlock!
Nigeria 0-0 DR Congo
19:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne2 min: Both sides just testing each other out in the early stages. Expect a cagey opening period with the stakes extremely high tonight.
KICK-OFF!
19:01 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are underway in this CAF World Cup play-off final!
Who will emerge victorious tonight?
Nigeria vs DR Congo live
18:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt is a strange atmosphere for tonight’s game.
While it is a play-off final, there is no World Cup qualification spot up for grabs.
Instead, the winners will move onto next year’s FIFA's inter-confederation play-offs.
HERE WE GO!
18:54 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe teams are out at the Moulay Hassan Stadium!
The CAF World Cup play-off final will be underway very soon.
Why Nigeria qualified for World Cup play-offs ahead of Burkina Faso
18:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria face DR Congo in a World Cup play-off final today but Burkina Faso will be thinking it should have been them instead of the Super Eagles.
Nigeria sealed a spot as one of the four best runners-up in CAF qualification by virtue of a superior goal difference to Burkina Faso after the two nations finished level on points.
However, there has been some confusion around why Les Etalons missed out on a play-off spot given they accumulated more points than Nigeria (21) and had a better goal difference (+15) in Group A.
Kick-off approaching in Morocco
18:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne15 minutes to go until kick-off at the Stade Prince Heritier Moulay Hassan.
Out on the pitch, feeling the surface and settling in ahead of kickoff. pic.twitter.com/PRShW6nguC
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 16, 2025
— Fecofa RDC_Officiel (@FecofaRdc) November 16, 2025
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