Prolific Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is set to play a decisive role when the Super Eagles face the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, as both teams battle for survival in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Rabat.
Whoever wins the African play-offs final will book a spot in a six-nation intercontinental tournament in Mexico this March, featuring teams from every football region except Europe.
The losing side, however, will crash out of the race to join the record 48 teams heading to the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Nigeria and DR Congo earned this second chance after finishing as the best runners-up across the nine African qualifying groups.
In the semi-finals on Thursday, Galatasaray striker Osimhen scored twice in extra time as Nigeria defeated Gabon 4-1, while Chancel Mbemba netted late to give DR Congo a 1-0 victory over Cameroon.
Osimhen, the 2023 African Player of the Year, scored a hat-trick last month in a 4-0 win over Benin that enabled Nigeria to squeeze into the play-offs.
The 26-year-old, who still wears a protective mask after suffering serious facial injuries four years ago, posed a constant threat against Gabon and could have finished with as many as six goals.
On several occasions, he came agonisingly close before, in the final moments of 12 minutes of added time, firing wide with only goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba to beat.
“I was gutted after failing to score from that opportunity. It was a bad miss.
“Sometimes I score amazing goals no one expects, and on other occasions, I miss when people expect me to score.
“I apologised to my teammates after that miss and promised to find the net in extra time, which I did twice,” Osimhen admitted to reporters.
Nigeria has qualified for the World Cup six times in eight attempts since its debut in 1994.
‘Passion’ The Super Eagles have never missed back-to-back World Cups since their first appearance and are desperate to atone for a play-off defeat to Ghana that cost them a place at Qatar 2022.
Nigeria sits 19 places above DR Congo in the FIFA rankings and is widely seen as the favourite in this Super Eagles–Leopards showdown. Yet Ivory Coast–born coach Eric Chelle remains measured in his outlook.
“The win over Gabon is already behind us. Now we face a truly formidable DR Congo side, and only after we overcome them—if we do—can we think about celebrating.
“We’re building a clear identity. My players understand the vision, and with every international window, they grow stronger—both mentally and technically.
“Our victory against Gabon came from passion, from a united effort. We must rediscover that same fire against the Congolese,” said the 48-year-old former Mali coach.
Nigeria may be a familiar face at the World Cup, but DR Congo’s sole appearance dates back to 1974, when the country—then known as Zaire—fell out in the group stage.
French coach Sébastien Desabre has since instilled discipline and grit into a talented yet previously unpredictable Congolese team, led by Lille’s standout centre-back, Chancel Mbemba.
“We have seasoned players, and what we’re building didn’t emerge overnight. We’re ready to give everything we have against Nigeria,” Desabre affirmed.
Nigeria has taken part in 16 World Cup qualifying campaigns and DR Congo in 12, but Sunday’s showdown at the 22,000-seat Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium will be their first-ever meeting in the qualifiers.
Bolivia and New Caledonia have already secured places in the intercontinental tournament; Iraq or the UAE will represent Asia, while Jamaica and Panama are frontrunners to claim the two Central American/Caribbean slots.
AFP