Nigeria will not be participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final of the CAF playoffs in Morocco.
The Super Eagles had gotten to a flying start when Frank Onyeka gave them the lead in the 3rd minute.
However, the Democratic Republic of Congo grew gradually into the game and got themselves a deserved equaliser in the 32nd minute.
The second half was largely dominated by the Democratic Republic of Congo, but they could not take advantage of the momentum as the game ended 1-1 in regulation time and extended to extra time.
After both teams failed to take the lead in extra time, the game went into penalty shoot out.
The shoot out ended 4-3 in favour of Democratic Republic of Congo who have now qualified for the Inter-confederation playoffs in March, next year at the expense of Nigeria.