A page of history has just been written: the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have achieved a resounding feat by eliminating the Super Eagles of Nigeria , led by their star Victor Osimhen , in the final of the 2026 World Cup play-offs.

A breathtaking duel

The African continent, and FIFA, eagerly awaited the outcome of this confrontation. And the match lived up to all expectations, offering total suspense.

In the 3rd minute , a cold shower descended upon the Congolese camp: Franck Onyeka opened the scoring for Nigeria with a deflected shot. The French coach of the DRC, Sébastien Desabre , and his bench absorbed the blow.

But the Leopards proved they had character and resilience . Led by players like Cédric Bakambu , the DRC gradually imposed their attacking style and pressing game. Nigeria, on the other hand, relied on counter-attacks, and their star player, Victor Osimhen , remained surprisingly quiet and saw little service.

The Congolese game finally paid off in the 13th minute : after a run down the wing by Cédric Bakambu, the ball found the feet of Meschack Elia , who only had to finish to equalize !

The DRC dictates its law after the break

The 1-1 score at halftime left everything open. The second half was marked by a bold decision from the Nigerian coach, Eric Sekou Chelle: in the 46th minute, he substituted his star striker, Victor Osimhen , followed shortly after by Samuel Chukweze and Ademola Lookman .

This coaching change did not produce the desired effect. The rest of the match turned in favor of the Leopards, who dominated and stifled a Super Eagles side sorely lacking in inspiration. The DRC's victory seemed logical after 120 minutes of total commitment.

The suspenseful denouement

Despite Congo's dominance, they had to go through the dreaded penalty shootout. And it was there that captain Chancel Mbemba and his teammates displayed impressive composure, winning 4-3 .

Thanks to this memorable feat, the DRC has qualified for the second round of the playoffs, where it will face a nation from the Americas or Asia. The winner of this final match will secure its place at the 2026 World Cup , which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.