A place as Africa's representative in the 2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoff is at stake this Sunday in Rabat, as Nigeria faces DR Congo.
The Super Eagles are bidding for a seventh World Cup appearance, while the Leopards chase only their second ever trip to the global showpiece.
📈Team Form📉
🔹 Nigeria: The Super Eagles come into this final with five wins in their last six outings.
🔸 Congo DR: The Leopards have won each of their last three matches by a single goal.
📊Key Stats & Head-to-Head 📊
🔥 This is the first competitive meeting between the two nations.
🔥 Their only previous match in the last decade was a 1-1 friendly draw in 2018.
🔥 Nigeria has won two of the six historical encounters, with Congo DR winning three.
🔥 Congo DR aims for a first World Cup appearance since 1974, when they competed as Zaire.
🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥
🇳🇬Nigeria | Form: D🟡W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢:
Confidence is expected to be high after a 4-1 extra-time victory in the semi-final. The team has shown defensive solidity, conceding only three times in their last three matches while netting 10 goals.
Victor Osimhen, who scored a brace last time out, will be a central figure in their attack.
🇨🇩Congo DR | Form: W🟢W🟢L🔴W🟢W🟢W🟢:
Sebastien Desabre's side progresses through defensive solidity rather than an attacking flourish.
They advanced dramatically thanks to a stoppage-time winner from captain Chancel Mbemba and will likely rely on a similar resilient strategy as underdogs in this final.
👥 Predicted Lineups 👥
🇳🇬Nigeria (possible):
Nwabali, Osayi-Samuel, Frederick, Bassey, Sanusi, Chukwueze, Onyeka, Iwobi, Lookman, Osimhen, Adams.
🇨🇩Congo DR (possible):
Mpasi, Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Kayembe, Moutoussamy, Pickel, Sadiki, Mbuku, Bakambu, Bongonda.
🔥 Players to Watch 👀
✨ Victor Osimhen — Scored a brace in the semi-final and is a key threat for Nigeria, edging closer to the country's all-time scoring record.
✨ Cedric Bakambu — Spearheads the Congo DR attack and is just two goals shy of the national scoring record.
✨ Chancel Mbemba — The captain scored the dramatic stoppage-time winner to send his team to the final.
✨ Chidera Ejuke — Inspired Nigeria's semi-final win from the bench and could be more involved here.
💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵
💵 Nigeria to win = 2.24
💵 Congo DR to win = 3.75
💵 Both teams to score = 2.10
💵 Under 2.5 total goals = 1.52
This playoff final presents a classic contrast: Nigeria's higher-ranked attack against Congo DR's resilient defence.
With a World Cup playoff spot on the line, a tense and dramatic encounter is in store in Rabat.
Who do you think will win and advance? Tell us your prediction in the comments.
🔗 You can follow the Italy vs Norway World Cup Qualifier here on MSport.
#Nigeria #CongoDR #WorldCupQualifiers #SuperEagles #Leopards #Osimhen #Bakambu
