JUMP TO:
- Nigeria vs. DR Congo score
- Nigeria vs. DR Congo latest updates and highlights
- Starting lineups and team news
- How to watch where you are
Nigeria are 90 minutes away from a spot in the intercontinental playoffs as they meet DR Congo in the CAF World Cup qualification playoff final on Sunday in Morocco.
The Super Eagles dramatically downed Gabon in their semifinal by a 4-1 score, with the match sent to extra time level at 1-1 before Nigeria scored three times in the additional period.
Nigeria suffered through a difficult qualification process, falling short of an automatic spot at the 2026 World Cup by finishing behind South Africa in their group. Now they must settle for an intercontinental playoff push, seeking to be one of six teams gunning for the last two spots at next summer's tournament.
They meet 60th-ranked DR Congo, who also reached this stage in dramatic fashion, with a 91st-minute goal from Chancel Mbemba seeing them past Cameroon in the other semifinal.
Nigeria vs. DR Congo live score
| Score (1H) | Goal scorers | |
| Nigeria | 1 | Onyeka (4') |
| DR Congo | 1 | Elia (32') |
Location: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium (Rabat, Morocco)
Referee: Jalal Jayed (MOR)
Starting lineups:
Nigeria (4-4-2, right to left): 23. Nwabali (GK) — 2. Fredrick, 6. Ajayi, 21. Bassey, 3. Sanusi — 11. Chukwueze, 8. Onyeka, 17. Iwobi, 4. Ndidi — 9. Osimhen, 7. Lookman.
DR Congo (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Mpasi-Nzau (GK) — 2. Wan-Bissaka, 22. Mbemba, 4. Tuanzebe, 14. Masuaku — 6. Muaku, 11. Sadiki, 8. Moutoussamy — 13. Elia, 17. Bakambu, 7. Mbuku
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Nigeria vs. DR Congo live updates, highlights from World Cup qualifier
32nd min: GOAL! DR CONGO! MESCHACK ELIA HAS THE EQUALISER! NIGERIA HAVE BEEN PUNISHED FOR TAKING THEIR FOOT OFF THE GAS!
Alex Iwobi turns the ball over in midfield, and the underdogs spread it out wide right for Cedric Bakambu who works against Semi Ajayi one-on-one. There's room for a cross, and Bakambu sends it across the face of goal to Elia, who had snuck in behind a totally unaware Wilfred Ndidi to meet it.
Ndidi got a touch on the ball, but he had no idea that Elia had crept in around behind him, and it fell right to his feet for the thumping close-range finish!
Watch in USA:
Congo DR get one right back! 🇨🇩 pic.twitter.com/UV2RLLdb89
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 16, 2025
31st min: Viktor Osimhen is running DR Congo ragged, but he's got very little help. He gets free down the right and has room for a cross as he races to the end line, but there's nobody there to meet it.
26th min: Nigeria are pressing for a second, and another poor DR Congo clearance falls to Wilfred Ndidi who races onto the airbourne ball and rifles a volley on net. It's driven low with pace, but too central to evade Mpasi-Nzau who gets down to smother the chance.
18th min: Benjamin Fredrick, who played in central defence in the semifinal and has been moved out wide to the right, has struggled to defend in space, committing back-to-back fouls, this time felling Arthur Masuaku to concede a good free-kick opportunity for DR Congo. It's wasted, though, as yet another dead ball situation is overhit.
13th min: What was the DR Congo back line thinking??? They almost allow Victor Osimhen to close down the goalkeeper on the ball, with Mpasi-Nzau forced to just boot it through Osimhen's legs straight over the end line for a corner.
The set-piece is wasted as it's overhit above everyone by Samuel Chukwueze and out for a goal kick.
4th min: GOAL! NIGERIA! FRANK ONYEKA SCORES THE OPENER JUST MINUTES INTO THE GAME!
A cross from the left isn't cleared properly, and it falls to Onyeka who rifles a deflected shot that finds the back of the net! The deflection off the outstretched foot of Axel Tuanzebe was critical, as it did appear as though Lionel Mpasi-Nzau had the shot covered if it had made its way to the goalkeeper untouched.
Watch in USA:
Frank Onyeka scores in the opening minutes for Nigeria 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/pKVAIY6cca
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 16, 2025
Kickoff: They're under way in Rabat! Who will keep their World Cup hopes alive, and who will find themselves just short?
Nigeria vs. DR Congo: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more
15 mins to kickoff: It was a relatively long trip to Morocco for both these countries, but DR Congo fans certainly had it tougher, forced to travel a full two-thirds of the African continent to reach the neutral venue for today's match!
All set for the African 2026 World Cup playoff in Rabat, #Morocco. Pic.twitter.com/sHQXUQKWhD
— Olúwashínà Okeleji (@oluwashina) November 16, 2025
30 mins to kickoff: We now have access to the DR Congo lineup, and there are three changes from the semifinal win to take note of. Coming into the XI is Meschack Elia to play on the wing, while Sunderland left-back Arthur Masuaku enters along the back. In midfield, versatile Lille youngster Ngal Muaku takes over, replacing Charles Pickel.
45 mins to kickoff: It's a party atmosphere already inside the stadium in Morocco, as DR Congo fans get the cheering started!
🇨🇩 DR Congo fans are getting the party started 🎉 pic.twitter.com/xA6yTShoCu
— Jay Harris (@jaydmharris) November 16, 2025
1 hour to kickoff: The Nigeria lineup is out, and while it's similar in nature to the semifinal win over Gabon, there are two notable changes.
Semi Ajayi comes into the back line for Bright Osayi-Samuel, which likely pushes Benjamin Fredrick to right-back. Meanwhile, Frank Onyeka comes in as an extra midfielder, replacing Akor Adams and leaving Victor Osimhen by himself up top.
1 hour 30 mins to kick: Looking ahead to the intercontinental playoffs, for which the eventual winner of this match will qualify, two of the six participants are currently known.
Bolivia are the confirmed participants out of CONMEBOL, having finished seventh in their qualifying standings, while New Caledonia are the participants from Oceania after falling to New Zealand in the final of their qualification tournament.
The winner here will be Africa's sole participant, while two more will be chosen from CONCACAF's competition. The last will be nominated from Asia in their final between UAE and Iraq, which is level at 1-1 after the first leg, set to be decided in the second leg on Tuesday.
2 hours to kickoff: Nigeria's semifinal victory over Gabon brought immediate redemption for Victor Osimhen who suffered a shocking miss right at the end of regulation which would have wrapped up the result right there. Instead, he bagged a brace in extra-time, sending the Super Eagles on their way.
"I apologized immediately to my teammates," Osimhen said of his miss. "I told my teammates that I was sorry and I would correct it in extra time." He sure did, making it five goals in his last two World Cup qualifiers.
"If I let it get into my head, I don't think I would be able to grab those two goals," Osimhen added. That's a strong mentality to have, and probably the reason he's excelled since joining Galatasaray while scoring eight goals in his last six international matches.
Nigeria vs. DR Congo kick off time
This 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff match kicks off from Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday, November 16 at 8 p.m. Local time in Rabat, Morocco. Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Sun, Nov. 16 | 2 p.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Sun, Nov. 16 | 11 a.m. PT |
| UK | Sun, Nov. 16 | 7 p.m. GMT |
| Australia | Mon, Nov. 17 | 4 a.m. AEDT |
| India | Sun, Nov. 16 | 11:30 p.m. IST |
Nigeria vs. DR Congo lineups, team news
Eric Chelle was expected to name a similar starting lineup from the semifinal, and he has done so with a few slight alterations.
Wilfred Ndidi has been cleared to play after it was clarified that his yellow card against Gabon, his second of the qualification cycle, will not incur a suspension as bookings do not carry over from the group stage to the playoff round.
Semi Ayaji is available again after serving a suspension of his own, and he returns along the back, partnering with Calvin Bassey and moving Benjamin Fredrick out wide to the right.
Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman were both substituted during normal time of the semifinal, so they should be well rested. Victor Osimhen is a lock to start every game, but this time he will be alongside Ademola Lookman as Frank Onyeka enters in midfield to replace striker Akor Adams.
Nigeria starting lineup (4-5-1): Nwabali (GK) — Fredrick, Ajayi, Bassey, Sanusi — Chukwueze, Onyeka, Iwobi, Ndidi — Lookman, Osimhen.
Nigeria subs: Okoye (GK), Obasogie (GK), Troost-Ekong, Awaziem, Osayi-Samuel, Onyemaechi, Onyedika, Simon, Ejuke, Abdullahi, Arokodare, Adams.
The most recognisable names in the DR Congo lineup come along the back line, where former Manchester United defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe are international regulars. Wan-Bissaka debuted for DR Congo last year after completing a one-time switch from England where he was a youth international.
DR Congo is Elche winger Grady Diangana withdrew from the October international break due to injury and remains out of action for club and country.
DR Congo starting lineup (4-4-2): Mpasi-Nzau (GK) — Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Masuaku — Muaku, Sadiki, Moutoussamy — Elia, Bakambu, Mbuku.
DR Congo subs: Epolo (GK), Fayulu (GK), Kalulu, Bushiri, Kapuadi, Pickel, Kayembe, Stroeykens, Cipenga, Mayele, Balikwisha, Essende.
Nigeria vs. DR Congo live stream, TV channel
Here is how to watch the match in some of the world's major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | — | ESPN+ |
| Canada | — | FIFA+ |
| UK | — | FIFA+, bet365 |
| Australia | — | FIFA+ |
| India | — | FanCode |