Defeated in a penalty shootout
Only three African nations have qualified for more World Cups than Nigeria, but the Super Eagles’ aspirations of competing in the United States, Mexico, and Canada next summer have come to an end. Following a 4-1 victory over Gabon, Nigeria advanced to the CAF World Cup qualifying final, only to face a heart-wrenching 4-3 defeat on penalties against DR Congo after a 1-1 draw in extra time.
Nigeria took an early lead against their regional rivals, with Frank Onyeka scoring just three minutes into the match. However, DR Congo equalized in the 60th minute with a goal from Meschack Elia. The Super Eagles lost their star player, Victor Osimhen, to injury at halftime, and the situation worsened as former Newcastle defender Chancel Mbemba converted the decisive penalty in the shootout. This led to chaotic scenes on the sidelines; Nigeria’s head coach, Éric Chelle, accused DR Congo of engaging in ‘voodoo’ as the Super Eagles faced elimination from the World Cup for the second consecutive time.
Nigeria’s World Cup aspirations dashed
Nigeria has historically been a strong contender, having qualified for six of the last seven World Cups from 1994 to 2014. The Super Eagles have dazzled fans with remarkable performances and legendary players, advancing past the group stages in 1994, 1998, and 2014. Despite their stature as a powerhouse in African football, recent years have seen a decline in their fortunes, culminating in the farcical elimination against DR Congo, especially when Chelle lost his composure during the penalty shootout.
During the penalty shootout, the 48-year-old coach confronted the DR Congo bench, even grabbing a water bottle in an attempt to reach a member of their technical staff. Chelle bizarrely claimed that someone from DR Congo’s team was performing voodoo against his players during the shootout. “Throughout the penalty shootout, the individual from DR Congo was doing voodoo,” Chelle stated. “Every time, every time. That’s why I got a little nervous around him.”
Nigeria’s standing among Africa’s most valuable nations
Nigeria’s squad is filled with recognized talent, including the current African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, and Galatasaray star Osimhen. With a roster predominantly comprising players from the top five European leagues, Nigeria boasts the third most valuable squad among African teams, valued at €335.5 million—only behind Morocco at €358 million. It’s astonishing that the Super Eagles won’t be participating in the World Cup, particularly considering their squad value significantly surpasses that of South Africa, who topped their qualifying group.
