Mayele’s Congo End Nigeria’s World Cup Dreams

Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images

The Democratic Republic of Congo advanced to the FIFA inter-confederation World Cup play-offs after defeating Nigeria on penalties on Sunday night.

The Super Eagles booked their spot in the play-off final with a 4-1 win over Gabon after extra-time while the Leopards edged past Cameroon on Thursday night.

The Nigerians got off to the perfect start after Frank Onyeka unleashed a strike from the edge of the box that took a deflection and sailed past the Congolese goalkeeper after four minutes.

Onyeka nearly scored from a similar situation on the 20-minute mark when he picked up the ball on the edge of the area, however goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau was able to make the save this time around.

The Congolese managed to restore parity in the 32nd minute when Cedric Bakambu turned provider to play in Meschack Elia, who raced clear and calmly slotted home past Stanley Nwabali.

Nigeria coach Eric Chelle made a big change at the start of the second half as star striker Victor Osimhen was hauled off with an injury and replaced by Akor Adams.

Bakambu should have put Congo ahead ten minutes into the second half as the Celta Vigo striker failed to hit the target from point-blank range after the Nigerian defence were caught napping.

That proved to be the final big chance of the second half as neither nation could find a winning goal, sending the clash to extra-time, with Nigeria now playing 120 minutes for the second time in three days.

The Leopards had the ball in the back of the net on 110 minutes through Noah Sadiki’s strike, but the celebrations were cut short four a foul in the build up.

The clash ultimately went to a penalty shoot-out, where the Congolese held their nerve to triumph 4-3 and book their spot in the inter-confederation play-offs.

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