11/16/25 06:39:00
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11/16 18:38 CST Congo beats Nigeria in penalty shootout to advance to World Cup
intercontinental playoffs
Congo beats Nigeria in penalty shootout to advance to World Cup
intercontinental playoffs
RABAT, Morocco (AP) --- Congo advanced to the World Cup intercontinental
playoffs after beating Nigeria in a Sunday night penalty shootout.
Chancel Mbemba struck the decisive spot kick to seal a 4-3 shootout victory for
Congo after the final playoff match of African qualifying ended 1-1 after extra
time in Rabat, Morocco.
Congo's victory secured its place in FIFA's six-team intercontinental playoff
tournament in March that will send two teams to the World Cup in the United
States, Canada and Mexico.
Nigeria led after three minutes of the game through Frank Onyeka's goal before
Mechak Elia leveled for Congo in the 32nd.
Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, the leading scorer in the UEFA Champions
League, was substituted at halftime.
Mbemba had scored in added time in Congo's 1-0 win against Cameroon on Thursday
to secure a place in the final. This time he was the hero in the shootout.
Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa
and Tunisia have already qualified for the World Cup from Africa.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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