FIFA WC Playoff – Live updates: HT: Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
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HT: Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
45+2′: DR Congo win a dangerous free-kick as Elia goes down under contact from Bassey. Osimhen is back to help and clears the danger.
45′
Three additional minutes have been added at the end of the first half.
44′
Lookman’s quick feet create a chance for Iwobi, whose shot is deflected. Bassey picks up the clearance, beats one defender, but is brought down. Nigeria earn a promising free-kick, but Lookman’s delivery is poor.
41′
DR Congo continue to target Fredrick down their left-hand side.
40′
Chukwueze tries to beat Masuaku with a trick, but ends up confusing himself and puts the ball out of play.
38′
Bassey gets a faint touch on a corner, but DR Congo scramble the ball clear.
32′ — GOAL! DR CONGO 1-1 NIGERIA
Iwobi is caught in possession, and DR Congo pounce. Bakambu sets up Meschak Elia, who taps home from close range to level the score.
31′
Osimhen breaks free from Tuanzebe on the right, but his cross lacks power and Mpasi gathers comfortably.
29′
A sloppy pass from Lookman puts Nigeria on the back foot, forcing Chukwueze to foul Elia and stop a DR Congo attack down the right.
27′
A much improved corner delivery sees Tuanzebe rise, but Nigeria’s defence holds firm.
24′
A promising Nigeria attack breaks down as Lookman’s cross into the box leads to Chukwueze and Onyeka getting in each other’s way — better communication needed.
22′
DR Congo have earned several free-kicks and corners, but poor deliveries have let them down. Nwabali flapped at the first set-piece, though he hasn’t faced serious pressure since.
20′
Ndidi comes close with his second strike of the tie, this time on target, but Mpasi makes a comfortable save to deny the Nigeria captain.
18′
A promising set-piece for DR Congo ends in disappointment as Osimhen heads the initial delivery away and Nigeria win a free-kick to relieve the pressure.
17′
Wan-Bissaka keeps a DR Congo attack alive, but the Leopards fail to create a shot as Nigeria’s defence holds firm. Masuaku wins a free-kick after being fouled by Fredrick — a chance to load the box.
15′
Nigeria press effectively from the front, forcing DR Congo goalkeeper Mpasi to put the ball out of play twice under pressure from the Super Eagles.
13′
Nigeria threaten from a set-piece, but Chukwueze overhits the delivery and DR Congo clear for a goal kick.
12′
Zaidu concedes a free-kick in a dangerous area. Nwabali struggles with the cross, but Mukau fires the rebound over to spare DR Congo.
11′
Iwobi’s positioning is notable tonight. He isn’t playing directly behind Osimhen, instead drifting left while Lookman pushes further up that flank.
6′
A brief scare for Nigeria as Osimhen goes down after an accidental elbow from Wan-Bissaka. He receives treatment but is back on his feet.
5′
That early goal has opened up the game, forcing DR Congo to push forward in search of an equaliser — a situation that could play into Nigeria’s hands.
3′ NIGERIA LEAD!
The perfect start for the Super Eagles as Frank Onyeka’s deflected strike opens the scoring!
KICK-OFF!
Kick-off! Action begins in the CAF World Cup play-off final.
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Nigeria and DR Congo will battle tonight for a place in next year’s FIFA inter-confederation play-offs as the CAF second-round World Cup play-off final takes centre stage at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
The Super Eagles needed extra time to defeat Gabon 4–1 in the semi-final, with Victor Osimhen scoring twice. Nigeria were handed a scare when Wilfred Ndidi was thought to be suspended, but CAF later confirmed that accumulated yellow cards were reset before the play-offs, clearing him to play.
DR Congo sealed their spot in dramatic fashion as Chancel Mbemba struck a 91st-minute winner to beat Cameroon. Only the winner of tonight’s showdown will advance as Africa’s sole representative in the six-team inter-confederation play-offs for two World Cup tickets early next year.
Confirmed Line-ups: Nigeria vs DR Congo
Nigeria XI:
Nwabali; Fredrick, Ajayi, Bassey, Zaidu; Ndidi, Iwobi, Onyeka; Lookman, Chukwueze, Osimhen
Subs: Okoye, Ekong, Ejuke, Adams, Osayi, Arokodare, Simon, Onyemaechi, Abdullahi, Obasogie, Onyedika, Awaziem
DR Congo XI:
Mpasi; Mbemba (C), Tuanzebe, Masuaku, Wan-Bissaka, Moutoussamy, Mukau, Sadiki, Mbuku, Elia, Bakambu
Subs: Fayulu, Epolo, Kayembe, Kapuadi, Kalulu, Pickel, Essende, Stroeykens, Mayele, Balikwisha, Bushiri, Cipenga
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