JOHANNESBURG: Democratic Republic of Congo ended Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with a penalty shootout victory in the African play-offs final on Sunday.
DR Congo and Nigeria drew 1-1 after extra time in the tie in Rabat and the central Africans won 4-3 on penalties to book a place in inter-confederation play-offs in Mexico next March.
In a nerve-riddled shootout in which four spot-kicks were saved and another missed, DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba defied a bottle thrown toward him and torrential rain to convert the winning penalty as his country seek a return to the global showpiece after a lengthy absence.
Two of the saves were made by substitute goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu, who replaced Lionel M’Pasi in the final minute of extra time.
Nigeria lie 19 places above DR Congo in the world rankings and were pre-match favourites, but DR Congo recovered from conceding early to look the likelier winners the longer the match proceeded. – AFP
