African Football Discussion Thread Current Topic: 👉 AFCON 2025/2026

[Stable090]

It's over. Nigeria is not going to the World Cup, we miss back-to-back World Cups. It is such a sad night for the entire country, but to be fair, the better team won. Dr. Congo completely dominated the game from the second half, and all through the extra-time, they deserved to win.

D.R Congo played well in the match today if I will be honest, they really deserve to win the match. The match as ended, and D.R Congo were able to qualify for the World Cup, congratulations to them, they deserve that. The super eagles were defeated today, at least everyone will rest, I don’t really have anything to say about them because it’s annoying, we won’t be playing the World Cup. But we just going to rest, and we going to enjoy other countries play, but am totally disappointed in super eagles today.

Nigeria won’t be playing the World Cup, at least we won’t go out there and get humiliated, just imagine this is how the super eagles are going to play when they face top counties, we are having top players, but we don’t know how to properly make use of them.

[Hyphen(-)]

It is a thing of shame to Nigeria super eagles they where just playing total rubbish in that match, my question is so without victor osimhen there's no super eagles, that bassy of a guy is the problem in that match he caused the first goal and why did he even play that penalty, right now I can't sleep because Nigeria lost this match why are super eagles doing this to us why, most we suffer pain and shame always, Nigeria super eagles didn't not play anything at all in that match they didn't, this Was the same thing they did in the last African cup of nation they were just running about the feed I don't know if they are afraid to play the game it is well, I pray God help me thi sleep this night.

A huge disappointing performance for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, they disgraced themselves by losing this match because they had everything in their hands. They have more well known players that have experience than DR Congo, but Congo players played for the passion and were able to get a way with a win in the penalties after two disallowed goals in the extra time. I must commend their effort for eliminating Cameroon and now Nigeria; I wish them all the best because they have a good squad that can represent Africa well in the World Cup because with the type of game Nigeria played, they might not even do better than Congo even if they qualified to the World Cup.

[Joy_learns_crypto]

Congo was prepared for the first half, second half, extra time and penalties, when it was close to the second half of the extra time the removed their keeper and replaced him with another that is better at penalties but Nigeria was on prepared for the first after after that it was just about holding on and praying a miracle can help them. Mose Simon and ajayi’s penalty where very bad, the Nigerian keeper tried to keep the team in the game but the game just wanted to go the best team. I will be supporting Congo now on their road to the world cup.

[MorganaX]

Already the score line is 1-1. Both sides are really going at it. So far I think the problem the Super Eagles have is the defense. Ndidi has been absolutely awful in this game I hope the manager substitute him in the second half. Alex Iwobi and Lookman have also been poor in this game.

For a game that started so well, you would wonder how it ended so badly for Nigeria. After they had that early goal from a deflected ball right through the goalkeeper, Ndidi found it necessary to return the favour by setting up Elia real good.

How do you take off all your best players at the start of the second half and somehow, hope to qualify from a Dr. Congo that found their momentum towards the end of the first half. Nigeria didn’t have any good performance in the entire second half and extra time, it’s that bad.

The game has ended with a penalty and Nigeria lost it. Very interesting first half as that was the only half I watch, I didn't get to watch the second half as I was very busy. But coming back to see the match as already extended to second half and Nigeria didn't have more pressing through out the second half (base on statistics) I felt it within that definitely they are going to lose, and also seeing Victor oshimen being sub off due to a minor injury, I knew we are not going to have a pressing tempo in our attack.
It ended in a penalty shot out and Nigeria lost to Dr. Congo.

[nelson4lov]

~Snip
Nigeria won’t be playing the World Cup, at least we won’t go out there and get humiliated, just imagine this is how the super eagles are going to play when they face top counties, we are having top players, but we don’t know how to properly make use of them.

Tbh, I think this was the right outcome for the team albeit a sad one for fans. However, it was clear that we are not ready to compete on the global stage along with some of the finest teams in the world cup next year. For the world cup, we won't have to be disappointed again so we can just watch other teams do great things since we cannot do the same for ours.

[EL MOHA]

It's over. Nigeria is not going to the World Cup, we miss back-to-back World Cups. It is such a sad night for the entire country, but to be fair, the better team won. Dr. Congo completely dominated the game from the second half, and all through the extra-time, they deserved to win.

What is next for the Super Eagles? The AFCON next month, i hope we can win it and at least make up a little bit for this heartbreak. But as for the 2026 World Cup, too bad we'll not be watching our dear nation play in it.

I have watch Nigeria play crucial matches of recent and to be sincere I see exactly one same thing happening all over again which is over confidence on themselves, I was actually arguing football and I said I would prefer a Cameroon team to face us than this DR Congo side who were first timers because I know overall the team is a very compact team and this makes them a big threat then, plus Nigeria we are used to having to look down on opponents, we did it in AFCON 2019 and last AFCON and are currently in this qualifiers again, all of this we usually leave games to the death before looking for a way to bury them

One thing I hate in moment like this is the useless promise of cash for goals like is that even proper?

[Ndabagi01]

D.R Congo played well in the match today if I will be honest, they really deserve to win the match. The match as ended, and D.R Congo were able to qualify for the World Cup, congratulations to them, they deserve that. The super eagles were defeated today, at least everyone will rest, I don’t really have anything to say about them because it’s annoying, we won’t be playing the World Cup. But we just going to rest, and we going to enjoy other countries play, but am totally disappointed in super eagles today.

Nigeria won’t be playing the World Cup, at least we won’t go out there and get humiliated, just imagine this is how the super eagles are going to play when they face top counties, we are having top players, but we don’t know how to properly make use of them.

It is very unfortunate that we have the best players on our side in this game but we’re not able to properly use them and qualify for the World Cup. We didn’t get to qualify in 2022 and now we are missing out on the 2026 World Cup. I think the management of the current team is very poor and they need to sack them all. The only known player in that team was Wan Bissaka who is not even a world class player but they still dominated the game.

To be honest, Congo deserved the win today because they were better and were more hungry for the win than the Nigerian team. They should start preparing for the 2030 World Cup, maybe they’ll get a chance that time and if they continue playing like this, they won’t get to come close to even qualifying and might even be eliminated from the group stage. I am very disappointed in the team, and they’ve really spoilt my mood for tonight. They were looking undetermined in this game.

[Smartvirus]

coming back to see the match as already extended to second half and Nigeria didn't have more pressing through out the second half (base on statistics) I felt it within that definitely they are going to lose, and also seeing Victor oshimen being sub off due to a minor injury, I knew we are not going to have a pressing tempo in our attack.
It ended in a penalty shot out and Nigeria lost to Dr. Congo.

Osimhen is the only reason why the Nigerian team do win games. Without VO9, the team would fall in so much disarray as was the case through the entire second half and extra time in this game. The game turned around suddenly for Nigeria in the second half when we had much expectations on them and rather than attacking, they were the defending side. It was terrible watching this weak team with a weak midfield not being able to project any winning threat.
Nwabali nearly took the chances away from the super eagles mid match, loosing possession within his box and letting a goal in due to a foul. It’s a good the thing referee saw all that unfold but, Nigeria’s dream of the World Cup is off.

[Silikiem]

Does it mean today's game will end in penalty shootout because with the pace at which these guys are taking it hard on each other shows how hungry both the Nigeria club and DR Congo. The game is at the second extra time of the extra time and the game is still in draw just shows you the way both teams are so hungry to qualify. Any slight mistakes from any of the club at this critical time can be detrimental to them because it will mean the opponent winning with a goal difference. A possibility of penalty is on the high side but I don't want it to get there because anxiety and the pressure on our guys can even make them lose their chances. I hope Osimhen will perform his magic these few minutes left else a penalty might not just be the best for us

It is so sad to see that the Nigeria team cannot do without a single player (Victor Osimhen) as they struggle to keep up the physicality of Dc Congo. This team lacks that passion, precision and determination for qualification because the only player that spikes up that feeling was subbed off.

We need more passionate players like Osimhen on the pitch with a great display of talent amd prowess. The match is up to penalties and it's a 50-50 possibility for a win. So sad it had to get to this.

It’s obvious now that it’s Victor Osimehn is the player who’s been carrying this team, we can see how shambolic their performances were in the second half immediately after Victor Osimehn was substituted. The DR Congo team practically outplayed Nigeria, Nigeria were lucky enough that the game ended in a penalty shootout. Dr Congo missed so many scoring opportunities in the game especially in the extra 30 minutes, they had about 3 goals canceled. It’s really a deserving win for the Congolese.

[Mayor of ogba]

Already the score line is 1-1. Both sides are really going at it. So far I think the problem the Super Eagles have is the defense. Ndidi has been absolutely awful in this game I hope the manager substitute him in the second half. Alex Iwobi and Lookman have also been poor in this game.

It's 90 minutes already and an extra 3 minutes have just been added, and to be frankly speaking, I'm totally disappointed with the way our Nigerian Super Eagles are playing right now, considering the fact how early our Super Eagles were able to score the first goal of the match at 3 minutes into the game, which obviously gave us high hopes thinking they could actually deliver us today to enable us qualify for the forthcoming 2026 World Cup. And as it stands now, I have doubt the Super Eagles will be able to win the extra time game we will be playing next.

When I said that I prefer Nigeria to play against Cameroon in the final over DR Congo, some people said that DR Congo would be easier for Nigeria to defeat. I hope they can now see the reason why I was rooting for Nigeria to play against Cameroon in the final. Nigeria has failed to qualify for the World Cup two times in a row.

[nelson4lov]

~Snip

I know definitely that Nigeria will lose this penalty shootout. The DR Congo have managed to end or secure victory against Nigeria through a penalty shootout. Nigeria loses 3 penalty shootouts away and 3 clean penalty goals, while DR Congo loses 2 penalty shootouts away with 4 clean goals. Honestly, I was very disappointed in Nigeria’s performance in this match particularly, the consistency and efforts being applied, which actually helped them in their previous match to secure victories, but in this match between them and Congo, their performances were actually low. Nevertheless, Nigeria actually played well, but Congo doesn’t want to lose this match. As such, the match ended in favour of Congo, and Nigeria is out of the qualifier.

Brother, I didn't see a large part of the game and only tuned in towards the end of the second half as well as the penalties and I'm really glad I didn't watch it from the start od the game. Our Goalkeeper did us a huge favor because the penalties should have ended way sooner than ut did. I wonder how some of these guys are professionald but can barely kick a ball.


At the end of the day, I blame the NFF.

[Cookdata]

Tbh, I think this was the right outcome for the team albeit a sad one for fans. However, it was clear that we are not ready to compete on the global stage along with some of the finest teams in the world cup next year. For the world cup, we won't have to be disappointed again so we can just watch other teams do great things since we cannot do the same for ours.

Before this game, I was tired of calculations. We would have avoided all this problems if we have done one job by qualifying. Play off is a gamble, we went through the route and it didn't end well. There is no way we would have come out of what we played softly. 2 straight Penalty was lost in the beginning, immediately I knew we were done, when the coach knew we were going to end in penalty, why was he holding back to make substitution so we can have some good penalties takers for goodness sake? Honestly it's good it was ended here, I don't have to be worry about them anymore, I have given enough patriotism and support from beginning.

[AYOBA]

Congo was prepared for the first half, second half, extra time and penalties, when it was close to the second half of the extra time the removed their keeper and replaced him with another that is better at penalties but Nigeria was on prepared for the first after after that it was just about holding on and praying a miracle can help them. Mose Simon and ajayi’s penalty where very bad, the Nigerian keeper tried to keep the team in the game but the game just wanted to go the best team. I will be supporting Congo now on their road to the world cup.

What a big disappointment from the Nigerians tonight against the Democrats that a lot of people didn’t expect from them with the way they displayed a great performance in their last match. That’s what gave all Nigerian fans hope today that they will try as much as possible to bring out a positive result, but unfortunately they are unable to make it happen. Imagine that Nigerian who was leading the Democrats with 1 goal right from the beginning of the match, but due to their inconsistency, they failed to win the match; honestly they really disgraced themselves, not the fans.

[igebotz]

Brother, I didn't see a large part of the game and only tuned in towards the end of the second half as well as the penalties and I'm really glad I didn't watch it from the start od the game. Our Goalkeeper did us a huge favor because the penalties should have ended way sooner than ut did. I wonder how some of these guys are professionald but can barely kick a ball.


At the end of the day, I blame the NFF.

They weren't the reason we missed two penalties tonight - we can blame them later for so many reasons but tonight loss is on the coach, he made some stupid subs he shouldn't have made. You don't do experiments with games like this.

That's another WC appearance thrown away.

[Emjay24]

Already the score line is 1-1. Both sides are really going at it. So far I think the problem the Super Eagles have is the defense. Ndidi has been absolutely awful in this game I hope the manager substitute him in the second half. Alex Iwobi and Lookman have also been poor in this game.

It's 90 minutes already and an extra 3 minutes have just been added, and to be frankly speaking, I'm totally disappointed with the way our Nigerian Super Eagles are playing right now, considering the fact how early our Super Eagles were able to score the first goal of the match at 3 minutes into the game, which obviously gave us high hopes thinking they could actually deliver us today to enable us qualify for the forthcoming 2026 World Cup. And as it stands now, I have doubt the Super Eagles will be able to win the extra time game we will be playing next.

When I said that I prefer Nigeria to play against Cameroon in the final over DR Congo, some people said that DR Congo would be easier for Nigeria to defeat. I hope they can now see the reason why I was rooting for Nigeria to play against Cameroon in the final. Nigeria has failed to qualify for the World Cup two times in a row.

DR Congo is a determined team more than Nigeria. If Nigerian team played like they did against Benin Republic, I don't think DR Congo would've stood a chance. Nigerian team played with so much unseriousness. I began questioning myself today what was the point stopping BEnin from qualifying automatically only to end our campaign with such a passive performance?

Nigeria isn't prepared to go to the world cup, at least not for this year, let them try again for 2030, maybe by then they would've got the kind of team that can challenge other serious continents.

[Richbased]

Nigeria won’t be playing the World Cup, at least we won’t go out there and get humiliated, just imagine this is how the super eagles are going to play when they face top counties, we are having top players, but we don’t know how to properly make use of them.

The better team won which is DR Congo, they really gave the Super Eagles a hard match and it was clear that they needed the win more than the boring Super Eagles. If there is anyone who is happy about the Super Eagles not advancing further am the one because imagine if Nigeria qualify to the world cup and meet those countries that has Super Strikers, that means they will lose with huge goal margin. If Nigeria had won DR Congo and moved further that is how they would have gone to disgrace themselves at the inter-confederation playoff.

[Cossyblack]

Already the score line is 1-1. Both sides are really going at it. So far I think the problem the Super Eagles have is the defense. Ndidi has been absolutely awful in this game I hope the manager substitute him in the second half. Alex Iwobi and Lookman have also been poor in this game.

For a game that started so well, you would wonder how it ended so badly for Nigeria. After they had that early goal from a deflected ball right through the goalkeeper, Ndidi found it necessary to return the favour by setting up Elia real good.

How do you take off all your best players at the start of the second half and somehow, hope to qualify from a Dr. Congo that found their momentum towards the end of the first half. Nigeria didn’t have any good performance in the entire second half and extra time, it’s that bad.

The game has ended with a penalty and Nigeria lost it. Very interesting first half as that was the only half I watch, I didn't get to watch the second half as I was very busy. But coming back to see the match as already extended to second half and Nigeria didn't have more pressing through out the second half (base on statistics) I felt it within that definitely they are going to lose, and also seeing Victor oshimen being sub off due to a minor injury, I knew we are not going to have a pressing tempo in our attack.
It ended in a penalty shot out and Nigeria lost to Dr. Congo.

I'm disappointed in the Super Eagles,is this the rubbish that they play in Europe,I bet they wouldn't. If the Nigeria Super Eagles cannot win Dr Congo, then it is better it ended this way because they would be humiliated in the group stage of the world Cup. Dr Congo pressured the Nigeria Super Eagles to an extent that they dominated the game . The Super Eagles has loss the game and it was their fault that their couldn't defeat small Dr Congo. The game has ended,I Dare the super Eagle to play the same poor football as they did at their various clubs and see what happens next.

[Justbillywitt]

If we must tell ourselves the truth, DR Congo deserves to qualify for the playoff than Nigeria. These guys played more than the Nigerian team. Their organisation was amazing, just that they were not good in creating chances if not this match wouldn't have ended in a penalty shootout. I don't know if Nigeria didn't train for this match before coming out to play this game. I am not sad that the eagles didn't qualify because they never really showed any sign that they deserve to be there.

[MorganaX]

~Snip
Nigeria won’t be playing the World Cup, at least we won’t go out there and get humiliated, just imagine this is how the super eagles are going to play when they face top counties, we are having top players, but we don’t know how to properly make use of them.

Tbh, I think this was the right outcome for the team albeit a sad one for fans. However, it was clear that we are not ready to compete on the global stage along with some of the finest teams in the world cup next year. For the world cup, we won't have to be disappointed again so we can just watch other teams do great things since we cannot do the same for ours.

It was clear though, and to be honest, most persons are really happy with the score line, as they can afford to be disgrace in the world cup. The qualify teams, we can see how they are dominating and playing very well on the pitch. Assuming Nigeria qualifies for the world cup and with the way other teams are playing can we afford to compete? I think it is never possible.
So basically after watching this game I was convinced that Nigeria attack is nothing without oshimen, as immediately he was sent off, they where unable to press again and that was very poor to be honest.

[Oluwa-btc]

Congo was prepared for the first half, second half, extra time and penalties, when it was close to the second half of the extra time the removed their keeper and replaced him with another that is better at penalties but Nigeria was on prepared for the first after after that it was just about holding on and praying a miracle can help them. Mose Simon and ajayi’s penalty where very bad, the Nigerian keeper tried to keep the team in the game but the game just wanted to go the best team. I will be supporting Congo now on their road to the world cup.

This game should have been decided before the first half of the game but our boys where busy dragging when they should have communicated to make it two goals to nil. Those goals we missed came back to hunt us finally and as for the manager?! I appreciate him being tactically sound but sometimes he behaves like Chelsea's manager. How do you start soft players like Lookman and Chukwueze against a physical side as Congo?!  His selection wasn't bad but the soft players shouldn't have started. Nothing much to say, we have accepted our faith. I'm not as passionate like I used to be so I'm not pained over the results.