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DR Congo Stuns Nigeria in Dramatic Penalty Shootout to Qualify for World Cup
In a high-stakes, edge-of-the-seat showdown, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) delivered a seismic upset by defeating Nigeria 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the African World Cup playoffs. The victory sends the Leopards to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in decades, leaving Nigeria’s Super Eagles heartbroken in Kinshasa.
A Thrilling Match with Twists and Turns
The match pitted Nigeria’s attacking firepower against DR Congo’s defensive grit. Nigeria started strong, with Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman threatening early. However, against the run of play, Cédric Bakambu capitalized on a defensive lapse to give DR Congo a 32nd-minute lead, igniting the home crowd.
Nigeria fought back in the second half, with Osimhen equalizing in the 67th minute via a towering header from Moses Simon’s cross. Despite relentless pressure, neither team could find a winner in regulation or extra time, leading to a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
Penalty Heroics Seal DR Congo’s Historic Win
DR Congo’s goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi, became the match-winner by saving Kelechi Iheanacho’s penalty before stepping up to score the decisive spot-kick himself. The victory sparked euphoric celebrations in the stadium, marking a historic moment for Congolese football.
What This Means for Both Teams
- DR Congo: This win represents a triumph of resilience under coach Sébastien Desabre, finally breaking years of World Cup qualification frustration.
- Nigeria: The Super Eagles face scrutiny after another playoff failure, raising questions about their ability to perform under pressure.
Post-Match Reactions
- Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo captain): “This is for our people—we’ve made history!”
- José Peseiro (Nigeria coach): “We had chances but couldn’t finish. We must improve.”
Looking Ahead
DR Congo will now prepare for their long-awaited World Cup return, while Nigeria must regroup ahead of future qualifiers. The result underscores African football’s unpredictability, where determination can topple giants.
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