Nigeria vs DR Congo: Prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds

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Evening Standard

·13 November 2025

Nigeria vs DR Congo: Prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds

Winners of play-off final will take one step closer to next year’s World Cup

Nigeria will play the Democratic Republic of Congo in a World Cup qualifying play-off final on Sunday.

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The Super Eagles, who had boycotted training in the lead-up to the game over pay disputes, needed extra time to defeat Gabon in their semi-final, emerging 4-1 winners in Rabat, Morocco.

Akor Adams struck in the 78th minute to open the scoring, but former Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina popped up with an 89th-minute equaliser to force extra time at the Moulay Hassan Stadium.

Chidera Ejuke struck seven minutes into the additional half-hour to eke Nigeria’s noses ahead, before star striker Victor Osimhen bagged a brace to cement their place in Sunday’s final.

There was also late drama in the other last-four encounter, where Chancel Mbemba slotted home a stoppage-time winner for the DR Congo against Cameroon.

Sebastien Desabre’s side are bidding to play in just their second World Cup, having only featured once back in 1974.

Cameroon, the eight-time participants on football’s biggest stage, will not feature for a ninth time in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The two sides will face off, looking to earn a place in the inter-confederation play-offs next year in Mexico.

That mini-tournament will decide the final two spots at the World Cup.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Nigeria vs DR Congo is scheduled for a 7pm GMT kick-off on Sunday, November 16, 2025.

The match will take place at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat, Morocco.

Where to watch Nigeria vs DR Congo

TV channel: In the UK, the game will not be broadcast live on TV.

Live stream: However, it is available to stream live on FIFA’s official streaming service, FIFA+.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.

Nigeria vs DR Congo team news

The biggest news coming out of the semi-final is that Wilfred Ndidi, the Nigeria midfielder, is suspended for this game after accumulating too many yellow cards.

Osimhen is in a similar boat, but is one further back. The striker is one yellow card away from a suspension that could rule him out of some inter-confederation play-off games should Nigeria progress.

Ndidi’s absence will come as a real blow, but Frank Onyeka is the most likely to replace him in the engine room. That said, the Brentford midfielder is also on a booking and could be suspended should he be cautioned against the DR Congo.

As yellow cards are not wiped until before the World Cup tournament, any player who receives two yellow cards in two different qualifying matches will be automatically suspended for the next match.

As for the Leopards, they suffered no injury or suspensions after their win over Cameroon.

Mbemba was the only one booked in a card-littered game, so he will need to be careful against Nigeria.

Nigeria vs DR Congo prediction

Nigeria have the star power, but the DR Congo have a solid defence.

They demonstrated that by shutting out Bryan Mbeumo and co. against Cameroon, but they will have a totally different challenge when Osimhen is in town, supported by Ademola Lookman and Adams.

The Leopards did well to cancel out Cameroon, but it might be a step too far against a stacked Nigerian side.

Nigeria to win, 3-1.