Hello and welcome! Thanks for joining us as Nigeria take on DR Congo in the CAF playoff final for a spot in the intercontinental play-offs for the 2026 World Cup.
The stakes are high as the winner of this African playoff will advance to the six-nation intercontinental tournament in Mexico in March, a competition that will feature teams from every football region except Europe.
The loser of Sunday’s match, meanwhile, will exit the race for a World Cup that will see a record 48 nations compete across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Both Nigeria and DR Congo earned this second chance after finishing as the best runners-up in their respective African qualifying groups, giving them one last shot at glory.
In the semi-final, the Super Eagles defeated Gabon 4-1 while the Leopards of DR Congo pip Cameroon by a lone goal.
Matchday in Moulay El Hassan! ️
Nigeria and DR Congo in the African #WCQ Play-Offs Final tonight. Ready? pic.twitter.com/YYZvXX8L8L
The Super Eagles, led by Galatasaray superstar Victor Osimhen, are determined not to repeat the heartbreak of missing out on Qatar 2022 after a playoff loss to Ghana.
Nigeria have never missed consecutive World Cups since their debut in 1994 and are eager to reclaim their spot on football’s biggest stage.
DR Congo, on the other hand, have far fewer appearances to their name. The only time they played at a World Cup was in 1974, back when the nation was known as Zaire, making this clash a historic opportunity for the Central Africans.
Please refresh this page for timely updates about the Nigeria vs DR Congo play-offs semi-final.
Half-Time
HT | Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
It’s level at the break! The boys have shown plenty of fight in the first half, and it’s all to play for in the second half.
Let’s keep the pressure up!#NGADRC #SoarSuperEagles #FIFAWCQ pic.twitter.com/eEbxx7nzmQ
Frank Onyeka’s goal in the third minute is cancelled out by Meschak Elia, leaving the score tied at halftime.
Freekick To DR Congo
45mins: Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
Osimhen is back there helping out and makes the clearance.
Freekick To Nigeria
44 mins: Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
Lookman takes, but his delivery is poor.
Bassey Comes Close To Restoring Nigeria’s Lead
38 mins: Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
Bassey almost gets something on a corner, but DR Congo manage to scramble the ball clear.
GOAL! DR Congo Equalise
32 mins: Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
Iwobi is caught in possession, and DR Congo pounce as Bakambu puts the ball on a plate for Meschak Elia, who taps home from close range.
DR Congo Still In It
29 mins: Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
DR Congo might be trailing, but their fans’ spirits are still quite high. They’re making noise with drums and trumpets, cheering on their men in blue.
Nigeria Waste A Golden Opportunity
24 mins: Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
Nigeria stride forward, looking dangerous, as Lookman sprints up the left wing.
He squares the ball to the centre of the box, but it’s poor, as neither Osimhen nor Ndidi can send it home.
Nigeria On The Ascendancy
20 mins: Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
Super Eagles have been the better side, controlling the tempo and dictating play
DR Congo Showing Attacking Intent
16 mins: Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
First signs of attacking intent from DR Congo, as Elia receives the ball on the right and tries to sprint forward, but takes a tumble after a foul from a Nigerian defender.
Mukau Nearly Restores Parity For DR Congo
12 mins: Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
Nigerian goalkeeper Nwabali was left in no man’s land as he attempted to parry away the ball following the corner kick, but Mukau but sends it over the crossbar!
Ndidi Tries To Double Nigeria’s Lead
8 min: Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
Nigeria look to double their lead, but Ndidi puts his effort from just outside the area well wide. Decent opportunity that
GOAL! Onyeka Gives Nigeria The Lead
3 mins: Nigeria 1-0 DR Congo
Frank Onyeka fires Nigeria into the lead after 3 minutes
Zaidu’s cross is deflected by a DR Congo defender, and Onyeka lashes a shot into the bottom corner.
Kickoff
Nigeria 0-0 DR Congo
DR Congo begin hostilities
Anthems All Done
Nigeria 0-0 DR Congo
The anthems of both participating teams have been sung. Players are exchanging handshakes before they pose for quick pre-match photos.
DR Congo Team News
MATCHDAY | Nigeria RD Congo
Stade Prince Héritier Moulay Hassan (Rabat, Maroc)
Coup d’envoi : 20h (heure de Kinshasa)
Finale – Barrage Coupe du Monde 2026 (Zone Afrique)Le XI de départ des Léopards :
Mpasi (GK) – Mbemba (C) – Tuanzebe – Masuaku –… pic.twitter.com/b1Ktuu8la7
Nigeria Team News
TEAM NEWS ️
Two changes from our win over Gabon.
Iwobi pulls the strings in midfield.
Osimhen leads the line.#SoarSuperEagles #NGADRC #FIFAWCQ2026 pic.twitter.com/jFdJRgUHPj
Nigeria Starting XI:
Nwabali; Fredrick, Sanusi, Ajayi, Bassey; Ndidi (C), Onyeka, Iwobi; Lookman, Chukwueze, Osimhen.
Super Eagles Arrive Moulay Hassan Stadium
6:46 pm: The Super Eagles arrive the match venue
We have arrived…..Team News ⏭️ pic.twitter.com/EVDJ3DV5eG
We Are Going To Give Our All
French coach Sebastien Desabre has transformed the always talented but often erratic Congolese into a combative outfit captained by outstanding centre-back Mbemba from Ligue 1 club Lille.
“We have experienced players. What we are putting in place has not happened overnight. We are going to give our all against Nigeria,” promised Desabre.
Victory Over Gabon Means Nothing
Nigeria are 19 places above DR Congo in the world rankings and favourites to win the clash of the Super Eagles and the Leopards, but Ivory Coast-born coach Eric Chelle is cautious.
“The victory over Gabon means nothing. We now face formidable opponents in DR Congo and, assuming we win, there will be time to celebrate.
“We are trying to create an identity. My players understand what I want and are improving mentally and technically with each international window.
“The key to success over Gabon was passion. It was about working together. We have to rediscover that passion against the Congolese,” added the 48-year-old former Mali coach.
Ndidi Boost For Nigeria
Nigeria has received a major boost with Wilfred Ndidi confirmed available for selection.
The ex-Leicester City midfielder had seemed at risk of suspension after receiving a yellow card in Thursday’s semi-final victory over Gabon—his second in the qualification stage.
However, it was clarified on Saturday that yellow cards accumulated during World Cup qualifiers do not carry over into the play-offs, meaning Ndidi is cleared to feature.
Head To Head
Encounters between these two countries are relatively uncommon, with DR Congo holding the upper hand overall.
Nigeria ‘Wants To Be At The World Cup’
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong shares his thoughts ahead of Nigeria’s crucial FIFA World Cup playoff clash against DR Congo in Rabat on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/Nw3tPqgDoA
William Troost Ekong believes the team is focused on the task ahead: “We’re not trying to prove anything to anyone, we want to prove it to ourselves, and we want to be at the World Cup ourselves.”
Reflecting on the team’s progress, Ekong added, “Every game, the boys are getting more comfortable with that pressure.”
Source: Channels TV
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