Osimhen Key to Nigeria’s World Cup Survival

Nigeria will face the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) on Sunday in Rabat in a crucial play-off final that will determine their survival in the 2026 World Cup qualifying race.

The winner of this match will advance to a six-nation intercontinental tournament in Mexico next March, while the loser will be eliminated from the expanded 48-nation global showpiece.

Nigeria and DR Congo earned their spots in this second-chance play-off as the best runners-up in their groups.

Nigeria clinched their final berth by defeating Gabon 4-1 in the semi-final, with Victor Osimhen (the 2023 African Player of the Year) scoring two goals in extra time. DR Congo advanced after a late 1-0 win over Cameroon.

Nigeria (News Central TV) — Osimhen is key to Nigeria’s World Cup survival. Credit: Business Day

Despite being ranked 19 places higher, Nigeria’s coach, Eric Chelle, remains cautious, urging his team to recapture the “passion” that fuelled their semi-final win.

For Nigeria, qualifying is essential, as they seek to atone for missing the 2022 Qatar World Cup and maintain their record of never missing back-to-back tournaments since their 1994 debut.

DR Congo’s only World Cup appearance was in 1974 when they were known as Zaire. This highly anticipated showdown will be the first-ever meeting between the two nations.

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Abisoye Adeyiga

Abisoye Adedoyin Adeyiga holds a PhD in Languages and Media Studies and a Master’s in Education (English Language). Trained in digital marketing and investigative journalism, she is passionate about new media’s transformative power. She enjoys reading, traveling, and meaningful conversations.