Four Things We Learned as Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup Dreams End Against DR Congo

Nigeria’s hopes of returning to the FIFA World Cup were dashed once again after the Super Eagles fell to DR Congo in a tense playoff clash decided by penalties on Sunday. The game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, with Frank Onyeka scoring for Nigeria before Meschack Elia equalised for the Leopards.

In the end, Timothy Fayulu, DR Congo’s goalkeeper, became the hero with crucial saves in the shootout that sealed a 4-3 victory for his country in Rabat, Morocco.

Here are four important things we learned from the match:

1. The Super Eagles Still Depend Too Much on Osimhen

When Victor Osimhen was substituted at halftime, the entire team’s performance dropped sharply.
The urgency disappeared, the attack lacked confidence, and Nigeria struggled to create meaningful chances. Without Osimhen’s energy and presence, the Super Eagles looked ordinary — almost like a second-tier team.
DR Congo could easily have won it in extra time.

2. DR Congo Are on the Brink of Making History

The Leopards are now a step away from returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when the country was known as Zaire.
Having previously won the AFCON titles in 1968 and 1974, Congo’s qualification push is a major moment for their football history. Their discipline, physical strength and belief were evident throughout the match.

3. Another World Cup Miss for Nigeria

For the second consecutive time, Nigeria will not appear at the World Cup.
Since 2006, the Super Eagles have now missed the tournament three times, a worrying sign for a team considered one of Africa’s football powerhouses.
A slow and inconsistent qualifying campaign ultimately caught up with them — and the penalty defeat simply sealed what has been a disappointing journey.

4. Nigeria Needs a Serious Rebuild

Coach Éric Chelle showed potential, but the team needs more than hope — it needs a fresh start.
Some players have reached the end of their cycle and should be phased out.
A major talking point was Raphael Onyedika sitting on the bench despite his recent outstanding Champions League performance against Barcelona.
Selection issues, tactical confusion, and lack of squad depth were all exposed in this match.

Nigeria now faces a painful reality: a reset is urgently needed. From player selection to team identity and overall football planning, the Super Eagles must rebuild if they hope to regain their place among the continent’s best.