FIFA World Cup Playoff: Players Who Let Nigeria Down In Super Eagles Loss To DR Congo

FIFA World Cup Playoff: Players Who Let Nigeria Down In Super Eagles Loss To DR Congo 

By Admin 

Nigeria and DR Congo delivered a tense opening half in their FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff final in Rabat, ending the first 45 minutes level at 1–1. The Super Eagles struck first through Frank Onyeka’s early goal, but DR Congo grew into the match and punished Nigeria’s errors to draw level before the break.

While Eric Chelle's men showed moments of promise, several individual lapses contributed to a disjointed performance. Here are four Nigerian players whose first-half displays fell below expectations.

1. Alex Iwobi

Iwobi endured a difficult half, highlighted by a costly error in the 35th minute. The midfielder lost possession in a dangerous central area, allowing DR Congo to launch a swift counterattack that resulted in their equalizer. He attempted to redeem himself shortly before the break with a shot in the 44th minute, but his effort was smothered. The turnover that led to the goal noticeably shifted the momentum and increased the pressure on Nigeria.

2. Ademola Lookman

Lookman struggled to establish rhythm in the attacking third. His most notable moment came in the 24th minute when a miscommunication with Victor Osimhen led to a collision inside the Congolese penalty area, wasting a promising chance. Six minutes later, he again relinquished the ball after receiving a forward pass from Samuel Chukwueze. His overall influence remained muted, and Nigeria’s wing play suffered as a result.

3. Samuel Chukwueze

Chukwueze was active but ineffective in terms of end product. His 44th-minute free-kick was easily cleared by the Congolese defense, adding to a series of attacks that failed to materialize. Earlier, in the 39th minute, he was forced into committing a tactical foul to halt a DR Congo counterattack—an indication of Nigeria’s increasing discomfort as the half progressed.

4. Tolu Arokodare and Akor Adams

Both strikers found it difficult to influence the game. They struggled to hold up play, failed to combine effectively with the wingers, and posed little threat to the Congolese defense. Their limited involvement left Nigeria without a consistent focal point in attack.