By peter.
Nigerian star striker Victor Osimhen may hold the key to victory when the Super Eagles take on the Democratic Republic of Congo in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying play-off final on Sunday in Rabat. The winner will secure a spot in a six-team intercontinental tournament in Mexico next March, featuring representatives from every confederation except Europe. The defeated side will be eliminated from contention for the expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Both Nigeria and DR Congo earned a lifeline as the top runners-up from Africa’s nine qualifying groups. In Thursday’s semi-finals, Osimhen, now with Galatasaray, struck twice in extra time to help Nigeria overpower Gabon 4-1. Meanwhile, captain Chancel Mbemba scored a late winner as DR Congo edged Cameroon 1-0.
The 2023 African Footballer of the Year, Osimhen netted a hat-trick in last month’s 4-0 thrashing of Benin, clinching Nigeria’s play-off berth. Still donning a protective mask from a severe facial injury sustained four years ago, the 26-year-old terrorized Gabon’s defense and could have bagged a half-dozen goals. He squandered several chances, including a glaring miss in the dying seconds of stoppage time with only the keeper to beat.
“I felt terrible about that miss—it was a poor one,” Osimhen told reporters. “I score spectacular goals sometimes, and other times I fluff the easy ones. I apologized to the team and vowed to make up for it in extra time, which I did with two goals.”
Nigeria has reached the World Cup six times in eight tries since debuting in 1994, never missing consecutive tournaments. Eager to erase the sting of a play-off loss to Ghana that kept them out of Qatar 2022, the Super Eagles enter as favorites—19 spots ahead of DR Congo in the FIFA rankings. Yet coach Eric Chelle, born in Ivory Coast and a former Mali boss, urges caution.
“Beating Gabon changes nothing,” the 48-year-old said. “DR Congo is a tough opponent. If we advance, then we celebrate. We’re building an identity; the players are grasping my vision and growing mentally and technically each camp. Passion and unity unlocked the win over Gabon—we need that fire again against Congo.”
DR Congo’s lone World Cup appearance dates to 1974, when they exited in the group stage as Zaire. Under French tactician Sébastien Desabre, the Leopards have become more organized and resilient, led by stellar Lille defender Mbemba.
“We have seasoned players, and this progress didn’t happen instantly,” Desabre noted. “We’ll leave everything on the pitch against Nigeria.”
Though Nigeria has contested 16 World Cup qualifying cycles and DR Congo 12, Sunday’s clash at the 22,000-capacity Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium marks their first encounter in qualifiers.
Bolivia and New Caledonia have already qualified for the intercontinental event; Asia’s spot will go to Iraq or the UAE, with Jamaica and Panama leading the race for Central America and the Caribbean’s two berths.
