Joel Ajayi
Nigeria’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to a crushing end in Rabat on Sunday night as the Super Eagles fell to DR Congo in a dramatic penalty shootout —
a collapse many fans liken to a student “carrying over” a course after failing to meet promotion requirements.
Eric Chelle’s men approached the CAF playoff final with the confidence of students convinced they had prepared for their toughest exam. That belief seemed justified when Zaidu Sanusi’s driven cross picked out Frank Onyeka, whose deflected strike sailed past Mpazi-Nzau to give Nigeria an early, well-deserved lead — the perfect opening answer in a test demanding absolute excellence.
But in a pattern that has plagued Nigeria throughout the qualification campaign, crucial chances went begging. Wilfred Ndidi’s long-range effort was beaten away, Stanley Nwabali misjudged a set-piece delivery, and a chaotic scramble in DR Congo’s box saw Ndidi and Samuel Chukwueze collide like confused undergraduates reaching for the same exam script.
A swift Congolese counterattack in the 32nd minute sliced through Nigeria’s defence, with Cédric Bakambu squaring for Meschack Elia to finish with the composure of a student who had read the exact question expected to appear. Suddenly it was 1–1, and the Super Eagles began to lose the rhythm and confidence that had defined their opening spell.
Extra time brought fatigue, and by the time the contest moved to penalties, Nigeria’s belief had all but drained away. DR Congo converted their spot kicks with conviction, while the Super Eagles faltered — failing the final test when it mattered most.
Like a student denied a pass mark, Nigeria must now face the harsh reality of a painful “carryover” — a four-year wait before another opportunity to qualify for the World Cup.
For a nation that lives and breathes football, the emotions are raw: disappointment, heartbreak, frustration, and a growing chorus of questions about how the Super Eagles — once giants of African football — have once again stumbled at the last hurdle.
