Nigeria will miss the 2026 World Cup after losing to DR Congo on penalties in a tense play-off match in Rabat. The game ended 1-1 after extra time before DR Congo won the shootout 4-3, with captain Chancel Mbemba scoring the winning kick.
Goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu, brought on specially for the shootout, made the key save from Nigeria’s Semi Ajayi in the sixth round.
But the result was overshadowed by comments from Nigeria manager Eric Chelle, who accused DR Congo players of using “voodoo” during the penalties.
Speaking first in French and later in English, he said: “During all of the penalties, the players of Congo were doing some voodoo.” A representative of DR Congo strongly denied the claim.
Nigeria started well, taking the lead in the third minute through a deflected shot from Frank Onyeka. DR Congo equalised just after the half-hour mark through Meschack Elia.
Nigeria struggled after star striker Victor Osimhen went off at half-time, and DR Congo looked sharper throughout the second half and extra time. Mbemba almost won the match in added time, but Stanley Nwabali kept his header out.
The loss is a major blow for Nigeria, one of Africa’s football giants, who will now miss a second straight World Cup.
Their qualifying campaign has been troubled, with three different managers and problems scoring goals when Osimhen has been injured.
DR Congo, who last played at a World Cup in 1974, now move on to an intercontinental play-off next March. They will face two more matches for a chance to reach the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
