Penalties will decide tonight’s play-off final!
120+1′
Nwabali is alert to tip Mbemba’s header around the post! Almost a dramatic late winner.
120′
DR Congo win a free-kick following a clumsy challenge from Adams. Goalkeeper change for DR Congo as Fayulu replaces Mpasi.
115‘
Awaziem replaces Arokodare. A surprising move, as you might have expected the striker to remain for potential penalty duties.
112′
Fredrick has struggled at right-back tonight and goes down with what appears to be cramp.
110′
DR Congo remain the only side actively seeking a winner, continually testing Nigeria’s defence.
DR Congo appear to take the lead, but Sadiki is judged to have fouled Onyemaechi before the ball crossed the line. Another massive let-off for Nigeria.
Extra Time — Kick-Off:
The game resumes in extra time. DR Congo make a change as Mbuku comes off for Balikwisha to inject fresh legs.
1st Half Extra Time ended: Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
102′
Finally a chance for Nigeria! Arokodare is free in the middle but heads Onyemaechi’s cross over the bar. Much better from the Super Eagles.
101′
DR Congo continue to create opportunities, with F. Mayele firing over from inside the box.
99′
It’s been a long time since Nigeria had a shot on target. Adams and Arokodare have struggled to impact the game, largely starved of service.
97′
A cross to the back post finds B. Cipenga, who tries to cushion a header to F. Mayele, but Nwabali reads it well and collects.
96′ — NIGERIA CHANGE
On: Onyemaechi
Off: Zaidu
Fresh legs at left-back.
94‘
Good move from DR Congo, but once again they are let down by the final ball.
F. Mayele has the ball in the net, he runs off to celebrate but the whistle had long gone for a foul on Nwabali.
92‘
It’s not much, but Nigeria already look much sharper as they put a few passes together – did not see a lot of that during the second half.
EXTRA TIME — KICK-OFF! Thirty more minutes to decide it!
FULL TIME: NIGERIA 1–1 DR CONGO
We’re headed for extra-time.
90′
Three additional minutes will be played. Will someone step up and deliver a decisive moment?
89′ — CHANCE!
B. Cipenga picks out Wan-Bissaka inside the box, but the West Ham man fails to connect with an acrobatic overhead attempt. It would’ve been a spectacular goal.
88′
Despite DR Congo applying heavy pressure after the break, Nwabali still hasn’t had to make a major save—though he almost handed the Leopards a goal earlier.
85′
With just five minutes left, it feels like one goal could be enough to win it in regulation.
83′ — HUGE CHANCE!
Nwabali’s poor back pass nearly hands DR Congo the lead, but B. Cipenga cannot take advantage. Nigeria escape!
82′
The Super Eagles need better crosses; both Simon and Ejuke send in balls that neither Arokodare nor Adams can challenge for.
79′
The stadium has quietened as clear goal threats have dried up on both sides.
78′
Coach Chelle switches Nigeria into a straightforward 4-4-2 with two tall strikers. Will it spark more attacking danger?
76′ — NIGERIA SUB
Off: Iwobi
On: Arokodare
74′
DR Congo wrestle back control, forcing Nigeria to defend deep. Their corner is again disappointing, and Moutoussamy attempts a wild effort that goes nowhere.
73′
Onyeka has recovered after brief treatment.
71′
F. Mayele contests a high ball and collides with Onyeka, who needs medical attention for a head knock. DR Congo make two substitutions: Mukau and Elia off, E. Kayembe and B. Cipenga on.
68′
Halfway through the second period, the score remains unchanged. DR Congo look more threatening as Nigeria struggle to cope in Osimhen’s absence.
65′
Adams asserts himself with a powerful run straight at DR Congo captain Mbemba.
64′
Zaidu makes a vital intervention at the back post to avert danger.
61′
Nigeria have managed to disrupt Congo’s attacking flow, but the Super Eagles still appear disjointed without Osimhen leading the line.
59′ — DR CONGO SUB
Off: Bakambu
On: F. Mayele
57′ — DOUBLE CHANGE FOR NIGERIA
Off: Lookman and Chukwueze
On: Ejuke and Simon
56′
DR Congo ramp up the pressure. Mbuku finds space but loses control at the key moment, allowing Ajayi to step in. Huge penalty shout as Sadiki goes down — VAR checking.
55′
Nigeria resort to long balls, but with no target to hold up play, DR Congo keep coming.
54′
Sadiki gets a shot away; it’s deflected for a corner. Nwabali must stay sharp to stop the ball creeping inside his near post.
51′
The second half begins cautiously. Nigeria are adjusting to Osimhen’s absence. DR Congo try to exploit it, but Sadiki’s cross sails over Bakambu and Zaidu watches it out of play.
46′
Nigeria make a substitution right after the restart: Akor Adams replaces Victor Osimhen, likely due to injury — a major setback for the Super Eagles.
HT: Nigeria 1–1 DR Congo
45+2′
DR Congo earn a dangerous free-kick after Elia goes down following contact from Bassey. Osimhen tracks back to defend and clears the threat.
45′
Three minutes have been added to the end of the first half.
44′
Lookman dribbles well to set up Iwobi, whose effort is deflected. Bassey collects the loose ball, beats a defender, and is fouled. Nigeria get a good free-kick opportunity, but Lookman’s delivery fails to trouble the defence.
41′
DR Congo continue to focus their attacks on Fredrick’s flank.
40′
Chukwueze attempts a trick to get past Masuaku but miscontrols and sends the ball out for a throw-in.
38′
Bassey gets a slight touch on a corner, but DR Congo manage to clear their lines.
32′ — GOAL! DR CONGO 1–1 NIGERIA
Iwobi loses the ball in midfield and DR Congo capitalise. Bakambu squares it to Meschak Elia, who finishes from close range to equalise.
31′
Osimhen escapes Tuanzebe on the right, but his cross is too weak and Mpasi gathers with ease.
29′
A misplaced pass from Lookman forces Nigeria backward, and Chukwueze brings down Elia to halt a DR Congo counterattack.
27′
A better corner delivery finds Tuanzebe rising highest, but Nigeria’s defence deals with it.
24′
A promising Nigerian move unravels as Lookman’s cross leads to Chukwueze and Onyeka clashing into each other — communication issues evident.
22′
DR Congo have seen several set-piece opportunities, but poor execution has hindered them. Nwabali misjudged an early delivery but hasn’t been troubled since.
20′
Ndidi threatens again with a second long-range strike, this one on target, but Mpasi saves comfortably.
18′
A DR Congo set-piece comes to nothing as Osimhen heads the ball clear and Nigeria win a relieving free-kick.
17′
Wan-Bissaka keeps a move alive for DR Congo, but Nigeria’s defence stands strong. Masuaku earns a free-kick after Fredrick’s foul, giving Congo another chance to send numbers into the box.
15′
Nigeria press high, forcing DR Congo goalkeeper Mpasi to kick the ball out of play twice under pressure.
13′
From a Nigerian set-piece, Chukwueze overhits the cross and Congo are awarded a goal kick.
12′
Zaidu concedes a dangerous free-kick. Nwabali struggles with the initial ball in, but Mukau fires the loose ball over the bar.
11′
Iwobi’s positioning is interesting tonight — instead of playing directly behind Osimhen, he drifts to the left while Lookman pushes higher on that side.
6′
A moment of concern as Osimhen goes down after taking an accidental elbow from Wan-Bissaka. After treatment, he continues.
5′
Nigeria’s early goal has opened up the game, prompting DR Congo to attack more aggressively — which could suit Nigeria’s counter-attacking style.
3′ — NIGERIA SCORE!
A dream start for the Super Eagles as Frank Onyeka’s shot takes a deflection and finds the net.
KICK-OFF
The CAF World Cup play-off final is underway.