Nigeria vs DR Congo live: Leopards keep World Cup dream alive with dramatic penalty shoot-out win | OneFootball

Democratic Republic of Congo fans celebrate (REUTERS)

DR Congo stunned Nigeria on penalties to keep their World Cup dreams alive and knock out the Super Eagles in a dramatic play-off final upset.

Frank Onyeka’s deflected opener for Nigeria was cancelled out by a DR Congo equaliser in the first half, with Meschak Elia punishing Wilfried Ndidi’s mistake. DR Congo were the better of the two teams but neither could settle the match in extra time and so it went to penalties.

Nigeria made the worst possible start with Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon missing their first two kicks of the shoot-out as DR Congo’s Noah Sadiki became the first to score. But Akor Adams replied for Nigeria and then goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved from Axel Tuanzebe.

After Bruno Onyemaechi and Chidera Ejuke scored for Nigeria, Michel-Ange Balikwisha sent the shoot-out into sudden-death. But Semi Ajayi’s kick was saved by Timothy Fayulu and DR Congo skipper Chancel Mbemba, who scored the winner against Cameroon in the semi-finals, sent them through.

DR Congo have only played in the World Cup once in 1974, when the country was called Zaire. As the winners of the CAF play-off final, to be held in the Moroccan capital Rabat, they will advance to March’s inter-continental play-offs, joining the likes of Bolivia and New Caledonia.