Nigeria’s long, gruelling journey toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended on a painful note in Rabat, where the Super Eagles fell 4–3 on penalties to DR Congo after a tense 1–1 draw, Soccernet.ng reports.
It was a night that began with promise, briefly steadied nerves, but slowly dissolved into a performance that highlighted deeper problems than the shootout heartbreak that ended it.
Frank Onyeka’s tidy finish after just three minutes should have set Nigeria on a path to control the contest.
Instead, it merely delayed a collapse that unfurled in phases: tactical imbalance, individual lapses, and a second half that exposed everything the technical crew had been trying to conceal for months.
Here are the five major takeaways from an evening that will linger uncomfortably in the memory of Nigerian football.
Lookman and Chukwueze looked rusty, and Nigeria paid for it
Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze were below par against Gabon, yet Eric Chelle trusted both from the start again in Rabat. They rewarded that faith with two anonymous performances.
Lookman gave the ball away repeatedly, seemed unsure of his runs, and never established a productive relationship with Osimhen.
Chukwueze struggled even more, offering little thrust going forward and even less defensive support to young Benjamin Fredrick. Every time DR Congo attacked down Nigeria’s right, poor positioning from Chukwueze worsened the danger.
Chelle took both men off early in the second half. By then, the damage had already been done. Their lack of sharpness starved Nigeria of width, tempo and creativity at crucial moments.
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Nwabali is not the first-choice goalkeeper Nigeria needs for the next level
Stanley Nwabali has enjoyed a good run of form for Nigeria, but this match exposed flaws that must be addressed.
He made a needless, dangerous error in the second half when a misplaced pass invited Congo to score, only for the offside flag to rescue him. His sweeping was inconsistent, his handling shaky, and his decision-making erratic. Yes, he delivered two excellent penalty saves but during open play he gave Nigerians far too many heart-in-mouth moments.
A maverick can be useful; a reckless goalkeeper is a liability. If Nwabali remains first choice, he must be put on a leash tactically. Nigeria cannot enter another qualification cycle feeling one mistake away from disaster.
The Super Eagles were dreadful in the second half
The match fundamentally changed the moment Victor Osimhen did not return for the second half.
Suddenly, Nigeria’s press disappeared. Their transitions slowed. Their entire attacking identity unravelled.
DR Congo seized control of midfield, winning every second ball and pushing Nigeria deeper with each passing minute. Alex Iwobi’s removal exaggerated the problem, leaving the Super Eagles one man short in the engine room. Chidera Ejuke came off the bench but offered very little. Chukwueze, ironically, might have been more useful if he had remained on.
The entire half was defined by panic clearances, hurried defending and a complete inability to string passes together. It was shocking to watch a team with Nigeria’s talent unable to hold the ball for ten seconds.
Without Osimhen, the Super Eagles had no direction
If there was ever an argument for Victor Osimhen’s importance, this match wrote it in capital letters.
Once he came off with a suspected knock, Congo instantly sensed weakness. Nigeria instantly looked confused. Even with two strikers on the pitch, the team had no focal point. There was no trigger for the press, no coordinated movement in attack, and no force threatening Congo’s backline.
Chelle must now confront a brutal truth: he has overrelied on Osimhen. Without him, Nigeria crumble structurally, psychologically, and tactically. It is a failure of squad balance and preparation.
In hindsight, the decision not to invite Paul Onuachu looms large. Nigeria needed a plan B. They had none.
Nigeria will miss the World Cup for at least 12 years
Nigeria last appeared at the World Cup in 2018. After missing 2022 and now failing to qualify for 2026, the next opportunity is 2030. That is a 12-year absence.
An entire generation of players – Moses Simon, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Stanley Nwabali, Akor Adams, Chidera Ejuke, Ola Aina and even Osimhen – may never play at the global showpiece. Many will be past their prime by the next cycle.
For a football nation of Nigeria’s profile, this is a damning indictment. It is clearly a systemic collapse that demands long-term rebuilding.