WCQ: DR Congo beat Nigeria on penalties to keep World Cup hope alive

Super Eagles crash out of World Cup qualifiers after 3-2 penalty loss to DR Congo; Osimhen halftime rift, missed pens seal heartbreaking exit

Chancel Mbemba celebrates after converting his penalty to send Congo DR through to the final of the playoffs in Morocco on Sunday. Congo beat Nigeria 3-2 on penalties. (Photo credit: Pulse)

Despite how much the universe tried to help the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup next summer, it all unravelled in Morocco on Sunday as Congo DR won on penalties to advance to the Inter-Confederations final.

Having beaten Gabon 4-1 after extra time last week Thursday and Congo DR having beaten Cameroon 1-0 with a late goal by Chancel Mbemba, the Congolese took it one further on Sunday, beating the Super Eagles 3-2 on penalties.

Frank Onyeka sent Nigeria in front as early as the 3rd minute with a deflected effort. Still, despite dominating the opening exchanges, the Super Eagles failed to add to their tally, and Congo DR grew into the game and overwhelmed them.

The Nigerian side failed to string passes together or control the tempo of the game. Congo DR pounced on a loose ball in the Nigerian area to level matters, and the game never looked like a comfortable one for the Super Eagles from there.

To the utter bemusement of the entire stadium and the millions watching worldwide, Victor Osimhen didn't return for the second half, with rifts and confrontations reported to have led to his removal.

The Galatasaray forward was roundly missed as Nigeria offered absolutely nothing going forward until the end of the game and throughout the extra time. Eric Chelle made some curious substitutions, and they all came back to haunt Nigeria.

The game went into penalties; Calvin Bassey ballooned the first, and, despite Stanley Nwabali saving twice from the Congolese takers, Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi both missed to hand the advantage to Chancel Mbemba, who converted his.

Eric Chelle insists on focusing on the Africa Cup of Nations, which takes centre stage in December in Morocco; will he be allowed to take the team to the tournament? Where do Nigerians go from here after the heartbreak of not qualifying for the World Cup?