The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be looking to book a spot in the Intercontinental World Cup playoffs when they lock horns with DR Congo on Sunday.
In the semifinals, both team were thoroughly drilled and pushed by their opponents. The Super Eagles were forced into extra time against Gabon, while DR Congo had their hearts in their mouths until the final second against Cameroon.
The game promises to be an interesting one, as both teams have some of the best players on the continent. Let's dive into the major details.
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Match details
Fixture: Nigeria vs DR Congo
Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup continental
playoffs (CAF)
Venue: Prince Moulay Hassan Staidum
Time: 8 PM WAT
Preview
Heading into the main qualifiers, Nigeria was a top favourite to qualify, on the basis of the team's quality.
Moreover, they missed the chance to qualify for the World Cup for the eighth time in 2022, so they were expected to take the lessons from that disappointment and seal qualification for the 2026 Mundial.
However, they flattered to deceive, dropping points against minnows like Benin, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. They also failed to defeat South Africa over two legs.
Nigeria would have failed to make the playoffs if not for Eritrea's decision to pull out. Even so, they needed a 90th-minute goal from Frank Onyeka in their final game against Benin to make the playoffs.
Against Gabon on Thursday, it was a game of different halves. The first half was total domination from the three-time African champions. But Gabon saw more of the ball in the second half.
In the regular 90 minutes, Nigeria created loads of chances and could have scored five goals. But their profligate finishing limited them to just one.
However, they switched thing up in extra time and ran out with a 4-1 win.
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Meanwhile, DR Congo will be feeling hard done by because if how the main qualifiers went. They were at the top of Group B until matchday 8, when they suffered a 3-2 loss to Senegal. Had they won that game, they would have surely qualified, as despite accruing 22 points, they missed out on first place by just two points.
Nonetheless, they can still redeem themselves by making it past the playoffs. They already flexed their muscles against one of the continent's giants Cameroon, defeating them thanks to a late goal from Chancel Mbemba.
That alone will give them confidence that they can defeat the Super Eagles on Sunday. As for motivation, the last time DR Congo qualified for Mundial was in 1974, and they were still called Zaire at the time.
So, making it to the Intercontinental playoffs and getting the World Cup ticket will surely make the players national heroes.
Head- to-head
Nigeria enter the game against DR Congo on the back of a nine-game unbeaten run dating back to March 21. Three of those nine games ended in draws.
Meanwhile, the Leopards have won four of their last five, with the only loss coming against Senegal in September.
In terms of games between the two countries, they have faced each other six times. The first meeting was in November 1966, and the last was in May 2018.
DR Congo have the upperhand in the fixture, with three wins as against Nigeria's two. Their last meeting in 2018 ended in a 1-1 draw. Players like William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi, Chidozie Awaziem, and Ola Aina were in that team.
Team News
Nigeria
All the players who were invited to the Super Eagles camp are fit and ready to go. There was uncertainty around Wilfred Ndidi, who got yellow carded last time out. However, he has now been cleared to play.
DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre also has the full complements of his squad, as everyone is fit and ready to go.
Possible Starting XI
Nigeria: Stanley Nwabali; Benjamin Fredrick, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Zaidu Sanusi; Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze; Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams.
DR Congo: Lionel Mpasi-Nzau; Joris Kayembe, Chancel Mbemba, Samuel Moutoussamy, Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka; Nathaniel Mbuku, Charles Pickel, Noah Sadiki; Cedric Bakambu, Theo Bongonda.
