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Nigeria’s hopes of progressing in the African World Cup Qualifiers came to a heartbreaking end after a tense 1–1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo that ultimately ended 4–3 in favour of the Leopards during a dramatic penalty shootout.
The match, played on Sunday, 16 November, delivered everything expected from a high-stakes continental fixture early goals, tactical battles, momentum swings, and the unforgiving drama of spot-kicks.
Nigeria began the game on the front foot, taking just three minutes to find a breakthrough. Frank Onyeka pounced early, finishing calmly to give the Super Eagles a dream start and sending the home crowd into celebration.
The early goal seemed to settle Nigeria, who controlled the pace of the game for much of the opening exchanges. However, DR Congo gradually grew into the match, improving their structure and finding space in wide areas.
Their persistence paid off in the 32nd minute when Meschack Elia capitalised on defensive hesitation to equalize. His composed finish silenced the Nigerian fans and shifted the momentum toward the visitors. From that moment, the game opened up, with both sides trading attacking phases but ultimately unable to find a second goal before halftime.
Nigeria made attacking changes at the break, notably replacing Victor Osimhen with Akor Adams, hoping to inject freshness into the forward line.
As the match progressed, further substitutions followed: Chidera Ejuke and Moses Simon were introduced in the 57th minute to try and break DR Congo’s sturdy defensive structure. Despite these efforts, clear-cut chances remained scarce, as DR Congo maintained discipline and closed down spaces efficiently.
On the other side, DR Congo strengthened their lineup with the introduction of Cedric Bakambu, Edo Kayembe, and B. Cipenga as they searched for counterattacking opportunities. Still, the Nigerian defense held firm, forcing the contest into extra time.
The additional 30 minutes were cagey, marked by tactical caution and physical fatigue. Late substitutions such as Zaidu replacing B. Onyemaechi for Nigeria and Michel Balikwisha coming on for DR Congo highlighted both teams’ efforts to find a decisive edge.
Neither side could break the deadlock, sending the match to a penalty shootout where the pressure intensified. Nigeria and DR Congo traded successful attempts until the tension mounted with each kick. Ultimately, DR Congo held their nerve better, converting four penalties to Nigeria’s three.
Key misses proved costly for the Super Eagles, while the Leopards displayed composure under pressure, clinching the victory and securing their progression.
The defeat is a tough blow for Nigeria, who started brightly but struggled to maintain control as the match wore on.
The substitutions added energy but not enough precision in the final third. For DR Congo, the result represents resilience and tactical discipline. Their ability to recover from an early setback, stay compact defensively, and finish strongly in the shootout showcased their mental toughness.
In the end, the match epitomized the drama and unpredictability of African football intense, emotional, and decided by the finest of margins. DR Congo advances, while Nigeria is left to reflect on missed chances and the cruel nature of penalty shootouts.
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