{"id":9336,"date":"2025-11-17T10:16:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T07:16:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/?p=9336"},"modified":"2025-11-17T10:16:05","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T07:16:05","slug":"dr-congo-knock-nigeria-out-of-world-cup-qualification-after-dramatic-penalty-shootout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/dr-congo-knock-nigeria-out-of-world-cup-qualification-after-dramatic-penalty-shootout\/","title":{"rendered":"DR Congo Knock Nigeria Out of World Cup Qualification After Dramatic Penalty Shootout"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>In a stunning World Cup Qualifiers showdown, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cafonline.com\/fifa-world-cup\/news\/dr-congo-edge-nigeria-on-penalties-to-reach-inter-confederation-play-off\/#:~:text=confederation%20play%2Doff-,DR%20Congo%20edge%20Nigeria%20on,reach%20inter%2Dconfederation%20play%2Doff&amp;text=DR%20Congo%20kept%20their%202026,the%20African%20play%2Doff%20final.\">the Democratic Republic of the Congo eliminated Nigeria<\/a><\/strong>, ending the Super Eagles\u2019 hopes of reaching the next FIFA World Cup. The match finished <strong>1\u20131 in regular time<\/strong>, but DR Congo triumphed <strong>4\u20133 on penalties<\/strong>, securing a coveted spot in the intercontinental play-offs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Nigeria 1\u20131 DR Congo (DR Congo win 4\u20133 on penalties)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>3\u2019 \u2013 F. Onyeka (Nigeria)<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>32\u2019 \u2013 M. Elia (DR Congo)<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite coming into the match with momentum after a convincing <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/nigeria-vs-gabon-match-prediction-super-eagles-face-crucial-world-cup-qualifier-test\/\">4\u20131 victory over Gabon<\/a><\/strong>, Nigeria were far from safe. They needed a win to guarantee qualification but fell short in the decisive moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A High-Pressure Battle Ends in Heartbreak for the Super Eagles<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Nigeria made an early statement when <strong>F. Onyeka<\/strong> opened the scoring in the 3rd minute. However, DR Congo responded strongly, with <strong>M. Elia<\/strong> leveling the match just after the half-hour mark. From that moment on, both teams pushed relentlessly, knowing what was at stake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the tension grew, Nigeria suffered a critical setback: <strong>star forward Victor Osimhen was subbed off before the penalty shootout<\/strong>, forced to watch helplessly from the sidelines as his teammates battled for survival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Penalty Shootout Drama: Congo Hold Their Nerve<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With the match ending 1\u20131 after 90 minutes, the tie headed to penalties\u2014a scenario where DR Congo showed remarkable composure. Scoring <strong>four of their five spot-kicks<\/strong>, they edged Nigeria 4\u20133, sealing their progression and sparking jubilant celebrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nigeria\u2019s missed opportunities proved costly, and the Super Eagles were left devastated as another World Cup dream slipped away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"443\" height=\"525\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Nigeria-v-Congo.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9339\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Nigeria-v-Congo.jpg 443w, https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Nigeria-v-Congo-253x300.jpg 253w, https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Nigeria-v-Congo-150x178.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Nigeria-v-Congo-300x356.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 443px) 100vw, 443px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">@433<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Humiliating Exit for Nigeria\u2014What Comes Next?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For many Nigerian fans, players, and analysts, this elimination is being described as both a <strong>disappointment<\/strong> and a <strong>humiliation<\/strong>. Given the squad\u2019s talent and expectations, missing out on World Cup qualification will undoubtedly lead to deep reflection within the Nigeria Football Federation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, the message coming out of the camp is one of determination. The Super Eagles are <strong>seeking a path to rebuild, regroup, and come back stronger<\/strong> in future competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>DR Congo March On<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With this result, <strong>DR Congo advance to the intercontinental play-offs<\/strong>, keeping their World Cup hopes alive. Their resilience, discipline, and courage under pressure have made them one of the standout stories of the qualification campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bet Smarter with BangBet Nigeria<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to cash in on the Champions League?&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng-m\">BangBet Nigeria<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;offers top-tier football odds, instant payouts, and a fast, seamless betting experience trusted by thousands of Nigerian punters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>New User Bonus:<\/strong>\u00a0Sign up and get a\u00a0<strong>FREE BET<\/strong>\u00a0to kick off your UCL betting journey.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fast MTN &amp; Airtel deposits &amp; withdrawals.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Live betting &amp; boosted odds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Daily jackpots &amp; promos.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Visit&nbsp;<strong>BangBet<\/strong>&nbsp;today and bet on all football games with Nigeria\u2019s favourite sportsbook!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bet with&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/bangbet.com\/\">Bangbet&nbsp;<\/a>\u2013 where unbeatable odds meet thrilling bonuses, free bets, and nonstop promos! We go beyond betting by offering expert predictions, helpful guides, and personalized support for your betting journey. At&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.bangbet.androidgsavvggplay\">Bangbet<\/a>, it\u2019s more than a game \u2013 it\u2019s your ultimate betting experience, backed by care and confidence.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/bangbet.com\/\">Bangbet<\/a>&nbsp;More Than Win!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a stunning World Cup Qualifiers showdown, the Democratic Republic of the Congo eliminated Nigeria, ending the Super Eagles\u2019 hopes of reaching the next FIFA World Cup. The match finished 1\u20131 in regular time, but DR Congo triumphed 4\u20133 on penalties, securing a coveted spot in the intercontinental play-offs. Nigeria 1\u20131 DR Congo (DR Congo [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":9337,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,1],"tags":[1703,1701,1702,376],"class_list":{"0":"post-9336","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football-news","8":"category-others","9":"tag-nigeria-eliminated-out-of-world-cup","10":"tag-nigeria-v-congo","11":"tag-nigeria-v-dr-congo","12":"tag-super-eagles"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9336","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9336"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9336\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9341,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9336\/revisions\/9341"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9337"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9336"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9336"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9336"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}