DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba proved the hero yet again as his decisive penalty sealed a dramatic victory over Nigeria, ending the Super Eagles’ quest for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The two sides faced off on Sunday in a high-stakes play-off that would determine who advanced to the final intercontinental qualifiers in March. Nigeria struck first, with Frank Onyeka’s early effort taking a deflection that left the Congolese goalkeeper helpless. But the Leopards fought back, equalising before halftime through Meschack Elia, who pounced from close range after sustained pressure.
Second Half Stalemate and Penalty Drama
The game tightened after the break, particularly following the halftime withdrawal of Victor Osimhen, which noticeably weakened Nigeria’s attacking threat. With both teams reluctant to make costly mistakes, the tie drifted toward a tense penalty shootout.
It began poorly for Nigeria as Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon missed their attempts. DR Congo also stumbled when Axel Tuanzebe sent his kick wide, pushing the contest into sudden death.
When Semi Ajayi’s effort was saved, the moment fell to 37-year-old Mbemba. The veteran defender smashed his penalty into the roof of the net, sparking ecstatic celebrations among Congolese players and supporters.
A Remarkable Week for DR Congo’s Captain
The win capped an extraordinary few days for Mbemba. Earlier in the week, during his 100th international appearance, he scored a dramatic 91st-minute winner to knock Cameroon out of the qualifiers.
What Comes Next
DR Congo now advances to a six-team inter-confederation tournament featuring sides from Asia, Concacaf, New Caledonia, and Bolivia. Two slots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be at stake. Should the Leopards progress, it would be their first appearance on the world stage since 1974.
Mbemba, who previously made nearly 60 appearances for Newcastle United before spells with Porto and Marseille, now plies his trade with Lille.
