Ikpeba Doesn’t Hold Back—Says Congo Earned It

Former Super Eagles forward and African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, has given his honest verdict on Nigeria’s heartbreaking playoff defeat to DR Congo—and he didn’t sugarcoat a thing.

According to him, the Congolese team didn’t just win… they earned it.

After a tense 1-1 draw that dragged into extra time, the match eventually went to penalties, where DR Congo edged Nigeria 4-3 to book a spot in the Intercontinental playoffs.

A Dream Start That Quickly Faded

Nigeria opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, thanks to Frank Onyeka’s clean strike. Fans thought the momentum had finally returned after their dramatic semifinal win over Gabon.

But that hope disappeared in the 34th minute when Wilfred Ndidi misjudged a ball, gifting Meschak Elia the perfect chance to level the score.

From that point on, the match’s intensity shifted—and not in Nigeria’s favour.

“Physically, The Super Eagles Did Not Turn Up” — Ikpeba

Ikpeba didn’t mince words when assessing Nigeria’s performance:

“Physically, the Super Eagles didn’t turn up. They capitulated totally in the second half.”

He went on to praise Congo’s physicality and stamina:

“The Congolese were the better side in the second half and extra time. They were physically stronger.”

For a team boasting one of the most talented squads Nigeria has seen in years, many felt the energy level simply wasn’t good enough.

Where Did Nigeria Get It Wrong?

Ikpeba noted that the Super Eagles failed to match the fire and intensity they showed against Gabon. The team looked heavy, tired, and disconnected—especially when Congo turned the physicality up.

“The Super Eagles didn’t come to the party. They gave a lot against Gabon but struggled against Congo.”

A Painful Setback—But Not The End

While the defeat is a huge blow, especially with World Cup hopes now hanging by a thread, Ikpeba also reminded fans of the team’s recent spirit:

“They showed a lot of passion and determination at the last AFCON. We cannot take that away from them.”

DR Congo now moves one step closer to making history, while Nigeria faces a steep uphill climb.

What This Means For The Sports Market

Matches like this have ripple effects across the wider sports market:

• Player valuations shift

• Coaching analysis becomes more intense

• Fan sentiment influences sponsorship decisions

• Betting markets adjust long-term odds

• Media attention spikes (which the best sport blogs track closely)

Nigeria’s loss doesn’t just hurt emotionally—it shapes narratives, data, and decisions across the African football economy.

DR Congo Defender Sadiki Opens Up On How Osimhen’s Injury Changed The Game

DR Congo full-back Noah Sadiki has openly admitted that the injury to Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen played a major role in the Leopards’ dramatic World Cup playoff triumph over the Super Eagles.

Osimhen, who has been Nigeria’s most dangerous attacking force throughout the qualifiers, was forced off after just 45 minutes during Sunday night’s showdown in Rabat. DR Congo eventually won 4-3 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw that stretched through extra time.

Osimhen’s Absence Shifted The Balance

Speaking in a video shared on X after the match, Sadiki explained that Osimhen’s early exit changed the flow of the contest:

“It’s not that it helped, but we know Osimhen is a big player and if you retire him out of the team, they have a big miss in front even though they have quality in front as well.”

He added:

“We knew he was their star player. If he was out, it would not be easier but another game.”

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A post shared by Sulaiman Adebayo (@pooja_iam)

Osimhen had scored five goals in his last two appearances for Nigeria leading into the final, making him the focal point of the attack and the main threat DR Congo had prepared to contain.

A Turning Point In Nigeria’s Painful Defeat

Once the Napoli striker was substituted, the Super Eagles struggled to maintain the same sharpness and aggression in the final third. DR Congo were able to reorganize their defensive shape, limit Nigeria’s forward movement, and gradually grow into the game.

Sadiki’s honest admission confirms what many fans observed—that Osimhen’s withdrawal removed Nigeria’s most influential weapon and gave Congo the breathing room they needed to stage a comeback.

A Tough Lesson For The Super Eagles

Nigeria still created chances and pushed the contest all the way to penalties, but without their talisman, the momentum gradually slipped away. Sadiki’s comments highlight just how much the Super Eagles rely on Osimhen and how costly his absence was in a do-or-die match.

The defeat ends Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Leopards advance to the next phase with renewed confidence.

World Cup Play-Off Draw: What You Need To Know

The 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off draw is set to take place on Thursday, with results from Monday and Tuesday being critical for Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and potentially Scotland.

Eight of the 16 teams are already confirmed, but the remaining spots will determine draw pots and home advantage for semi-finals.

How The Draw Works

There are four play-off paths, each with four teams. The semi-finals and finals are one-legged, and seeded teams host the semi-finals:

• Pot 1 vs Pot 4

• Pot 2 vs Pot 3

Home advantage for the finals will be determined by the draw on Thursday. While being in Pot 1 is slightly preferable, the difference between Pot 1 and Pot 2 is minimal. Pot 3 and 4 contain teams that either just missed automatic qualification or advanced through UEFA Nations League performance.

Confirmed Teams And Pots

So far, the confirmed teams include:

• Pot 1: Italy

• Pot 2: To be confirmed

• Pot 3: Albania, possibly Kosovo

• Pot 4: Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland

Teams like Turkey and Ukraine are likely to be in Pot 1.

Scotland’s Chances

Scotland can qualify automatically with a win over Denmark. If not, they enter the play-offs, most likely in Pot 2, guaranteeing a home semi-final. Only certain combinations of results could drop them to Pot 3, leading to an away semi-final.

Wales’ Scenario

Wales are guaranteed at least a play-off, with a home semi-final likely if they win against North Macedonia. A loss or draw would see them in Pot 4 as a UEFA Nations League group winner.

Republic Of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland earned a surprise play-off route after their late win in Hungary. They are expected to be in Pot 3, but with favorable results, they could reach Pot 2 and secure a home semi-final.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland are confirmed in Pot 4, meaning an away semi-final, with only Italy confirmed in Pot 1 as potential opponents.

Inter-Confederation Play-Offs

Meanwhile, the inter-confederation play-offs in March will determine the final two spots and involve countries outside Europe.

• Asia: Iraq or UAE

• Africa: DR Congo

• CONCACAF: Two spots TBD

• CONMEBOL: Bolivia

• OFC: New Caledonia

The world ranking of these nations will determine which teams get seeded directly into the final.

The 2026 World Cup play-off draw promises drama for the UK nations, with home advantage and pot placements potentially making all the difference in the road to North America.