Nigeria fails three times from the point
©IMAGO
The Democratic Republic of Congo reached the intercontinental playoffs with a 5-4 win on penalties against Nigeria and will play there next March for participation in the 2026 World Cup. Bolivia and New Caledonia had previously qualified. Two members of the North and Central American and Caribbean Football Confederation and a representative from Asia will follow.
In the African final, which resulted from a tournament between the four best runners-up in the group, Nigeria took the lead early on through ex-Augsburg player Frank Onyeka. However, Meschack Elia equalized after around half an hour. No further goals were scored during regular time and extra time, so the winner had to be determined in a penalty shootout.
There, goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu saved two of the Nigerians’ six attempts, who also sent another penalty over the goal. Chancel Mbemba then made the success perfect. Now the Congolese have the opportunity to qualify for a final tournament again 52 years after their first and only participation – in 1974 in Germany as Zaire.