The Super Eagles fought a gallant battle but came short in sudden-death penalty shootout as the Leopards of Democratic Republic of Congo continued their march to a possible second appearance at the FIFA World Cup finals.
Sunday night’s Final of the Africa Playoff in Rabat was fought in an atmosphere of tension and real anxiety inside the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan. Nigeria got their noses in front in the third minute, after a cross by Zaidu Sanusi was flicked for Frank Onyeka to hit a shot that was deflected into the Congolese net.
The Super Eagles began to pour forward and stand-in captain Wilfred Ndidi saw his shot fly away from goal, just before the Leopards came close from a free-kick on the right that was met by a kick and the ball went over the bar.
Ace forward Victor Osimhen darted down the right in the 31st minute but his cross was saved by the goalkeeper. A minute later, the Leopards were level as Meshak Elia got ahead of Ndidi to slot past Stanley Nwabali as the Eagles lost the ball in midfield.
Osimhen suffered an injury that forced him out of action after the first 45 minutes, but the Eagles continued to fight for the ticket.
Nwabali was on the alert to save a delicate touch after a corner kick on the right in the 53rd minute, and the ding-dong continued until the end of regulation time.
In first-half extra time, Tolu Arokodare’s header from a cross by Bruno Onyemaechi was a little too high, and in the final minute, Nwabali saved a goal-bound header as the Leopards poured forward once more.
Both teams missed two of their first five kicks. Calvin Bassey and Simon Moses did not score, though Jerome Akor, Bruno Onyemaechi and Chidera Ejuke scored. Defender Semi Ajayi saw his kick saved, and Congo scored their next kick to qualify for the Intercontinental Playoff in Mexico
