DR Congo Stuns Nigeria in Penalty Heartbreak: Mbemba’s Heroics Shatter Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup Dream
Chancel Mbemba etched his name into Congolese football folklore once again, coolly slotting home the decisive penalty to eliminate Nigeria from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in a pulsating play-off on Sunday, November, 2025.
The Leopards’ captain, fresh from a last-gasp winner against Cameroon days earlier, delivered heartbreak to the Super Eagles, ending their campaign in a dramatic shootout after a 1-1 stalemate.
The high-stakes encounter, played before a raucous crowd at Stade des Martyrs, saw Nigeria strike first through Frank Onyeka in the 18th minute.
The Brentford midfielder’s speculative long-range effort took a wicked deflection off a Congolese defender, looping over goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi and into the net. DR Congo, undeterred, leveled before halftime when Meschack Elia pounced on a loose ball in the box, finishing clinically after a spell of sustained pressure.
The second half proved a cagey affair, with Nigeria’s attack blunted by the half-time withdrawal of talisman Victor Osimhen due to a knock. Both sides traded cautious blows, unwilling to concede in regulation time, setting the stage for a nerve-shredding penalty lottery.
Disaster struck early for Nigeria as Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon both fluffed their lines, sending efforts wide. DR Congo also faltered, with Axel Tuanzebe—the Burnley defender on loan from Manchester United—blazing over.
The shootout entered sudden death, where Semi Ajayi saw his kick saved by Mpasi. Up stepped Mbemba, 37, to face the weight of a nation. With ice in his veins, the veteran powered his penalty into the roof of the net, sparking pandemonium on the pitch and in the stands.
The victory capped a remarkable week for Mbemba, who on his 100th cap had netted a 91st-minute winner to oust Cameroon in the previous round. The former Newcastle United, Porto, and Marseille defender—now plying his trade at Lille—has become the heartbeat of DR Congo’s resurgence.
DR Congo now advances to a six-team inter-confederation tournament in March 2026, facing Bolivia, New Caledonia, and representatives from Asia and Concacaf for two remaining World Cup slots. A triumph there would mark the Leopards’ first appearance at the global showpiece since 1974, a historic drought they are desperate to end.
For Nigeria, the defeat is a bitter pill. Despite boasting stars like Osimhen, Simon, and Wilfred Ndidi, the Super Eagles faltered at the final hurdle, extending their wait for a seventh World Cup finals. Coach Augustine Eguavoen lamented the missed penalties: “We had chances, but football is cruel. Credit to DR Congo—they wanted it more in the shootout.”
The result underscores Africa’s growing competitiveness in World Cup qualifying, with underdogs like DR Congo proving that passion and resilience can topple giants. As the Leopards dream of USA, Canada, and Mexico, Nigeria returns to the drawing board, their 2026 hopes extinguished in the cruelest fashion.
