World Cup
Moroccan Referee Jalal’s Firm Officiating Style in Focus as Nigeria, DR Congo Prepare for High-Stakes Play-Off
By Kunle Solaja
As Nigeria and DR Congo prepare for Sunday’s crucial FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off in Rabat, both teams are urged to approach the contest with caution — and for good reason. Moroccan referee Jayed Jalal, known for his strict interpretation of the rules and no-nonsense control of matches, will take charge of the encounter.
Jalal, 38, has built a reputation for assertive officiating, often stamping his authority early to maintain discipline. In his last two international assignments, he issued a combined 13 yellow cards, underlining his readiness to sanction infringements.
During Namibia’s goalless draw with Cameroon in last November’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, Jalal flashed five yellow cards. Prior to that, he oversaw Angola’s 2–1 victory over Sudan, a match that produced eight bookings.
The Super Eagles are already familiar with the Moroccan’s stern approach. Jalal officiated Nigeria’s 2–0 away win over Rwanda, cautioning Wilfred Ndidi in the 49th minute and Alex Iwobi in the 90th minute.
He also handled last year’s friendly between Ghana and Nigeria in Marrakech, during which he issued four yellow cards and a straight red card to Ghana’s Jerome Opoku in the 56th minute.
Nigeria’s youth teams have also felt the weight of his authority. In a U-20 clash between Nigeria and Senegal last February, Jalal produced four yellow cards, including a second booking to Ahmed Abdulahi, who was sent off in the 90th minute.
He was also the fourth official at FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile when Nigeria faced Argentina in the Round of 16.
SANTIAGO, CHILE – OCTOBER 08: Nigeria assistant coach gives the Video System Support blue card request to fourth official Jalal Jayed during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Nigeria at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos on October 08, 2025 in Santiago, Chile. (Photo by Buda Mendes – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
For Sunday’s showdown, Jalal will be supported by compatriots Mustapha Akarkad (Assistant Referee 1) and Zakaria Bernissi (Assistant Referee 2), while Mahrez El Malki of Tunisia serves as Fourth Official. The VAR crew will be led by Lahlou Benbraham of Algeria, assisted by Haitham Guirat of Tunisia.
SANTIAGO, CHILE – OCTOBER 11: Referee Jalal Jayed shows a yellow card to Milton Delgado of Argentina during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 quarter-final match between Mexico and Argentina at Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos on October 11, 2025 in Santiago, Chile. (Photo by Martín Fonseca/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
With a World Cup dream on the line and a strict referee in charge, both Nigeria and DR Congo will need to keep their discipline in check.
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By Kunle Solaja.
If the Super Eagles edge out DR Congo from the 2026 World Cup qualifying series this Sunday, that will take Coach Eric Chelle’s unbeaten streak with the team to 11, the longest by any manager of the Nigerian national team coach in recent time.
The 2-0 defeat of Rwanda on 21 March was Nigeria’s first win of a World Cup qualifying match since the 2-0 defeat of Liberia on 13 November 2021 in Tangier, Morocco. Nigeria thus went on a no-win streak of seven World Cup qualifying matches spanning 1,224 days (three years, four months and eight days).
Of the past 10 matches that the Super Eagles under Chelle have gone unbeaten, six have been outright wins while four were drawn.
Since his debut with the team in a 2-0 away win in Rwanda, Nigeria’s quest for World Cup qualification came back on track after an initial set-back.
A defeat of DR Congo takes the Super Eagles almost within just a match to picking the qualification ticket as either the 47th or 48th qualifier.
Emerging as Africa’s candidate at the intercontinental play-off in Mexico will see the team as one of the two highest ranked of the six contestants.
They will only be required to play just a match to qualify. A win this Sunday will provide a tonic for possible good outing at next month’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
ÉRIC SÉKOU CHELLE’S SUPER EAGLES DIARY
21 Mar 2025: Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria (FIFA World Cup Q: Kigali)
25 Mar 2025: Nigeria 1-1 Zimbabwe (FIFA World Cup Q: Uyo)
28 May 2025: Nigeria 2-1 Ghana (Unity Cup: London)
31 May 2025: Jamaica 2-2 Nigeria (Unity Cup: London)
. Nigeria win 5-4 on penalties to retain the trophy
06 Jun 2025: Russia 1-1 Nigeria (Friendly: Moscow)
06 Sep 2025: Nigeria 1-0 Rwanda (FIFA World Cup Q: Uyo)
09 Sep 2025: South Africa 1-1 Nigeria (FIFA World Cup Q: Bloemfontein)
10 Oct 2025: Lesotho 1-2 Nigeria (FIFA World Cup Q: Polokwane)
14 Oct 2025: Nigeria 4-0 Bénin Republic (FIFA World Cup Q: Uyo)
13 Nov 2025: Gabon 1-4 Nigeria (FIFA World Cup Playoff: Rabat)
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A leading DR Congo daily, Le Potentiel, has dismissed as “fake news” a viral online report alleging that President Félix Tshisekedi promised USD 1 million per player to the national team for victories in the ongoing FIFA World Cup qualifying play-offs.
The rumour, which circulated widely on X and Instagram earlier in the week, claimed the Congolese leader had vowed to pay the substantial bonus through Rawbank to boost team morale ahead of the crucial matches. The story falsely cited international outlets RMC and Sports News Africa as its sources.
But Le Potentiel reports that the Congolese presidency moved swiftly to debunk the claims, issuing a firm denial within 24 hours.
“No promises of that amount; focus on performance and fairness,” the presidency stated.
DR Congo will face Nigeria in the play-off final on Sunday night in Rabat, Morocco, with the winner progressing to the FIFA Intercontinental Play-Off in March — a pathway to the 2026 World Cup. The Leopards have not reached the global tournament since 1974.
According to official sources, President Tshisekedi’s support to the team continues through the football federation, Fecofa, which maintains its standard victory bonuses of USD 50,000, in line with the government’s broader sports development agenda, including recent renovation works at the historic Stade des Martyrs.
Fecofa , the DR Congo football federation, also confirmed that, should DR Congo qualify, the national team would receive a collective bonus of USD 100,000, far from the sensational figure circulating online. Rawbank likewise denied any involvement in special transfers, while coach Sébastien Desabre told reporters:
“No crazy bonuses, just hard work.”
The presidency noted that the misinformation appeared to be politically motivated, possibly driven by online trolls aiming to discredit the Tshisekedi administration amid tensions with the opposition.
Players have also urged supporters to remain calm. Veteran forward Cédric Bakambu stressed that the Leopards remain focused:
“We play for the country, not for money.”
Despite disappointment among some fans in Kinshasa, many have rallied behind the team ahead of the crucial encounter, which will be broadcast on national television (RTNC). Sports Minister Francine Muyumba has assured that “fair rewards” await the players based on their performance.
With the rumour now firmly debunked, attention has shifted back to the pitch, where DR Congo’s World Cup dream will be tested against Nigeria.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Nigeria and DR Congo will square off for the 10th time on Sunday in Rabat, with a coveted African slot in next year’s FIFA World Cup inter-confederation play-offs at stake. The Super Eagles go into the clash with the historical edge, having won five of their nine previous encounters.
Of the past meetings, three were competitive matches at the Africa Cup of Nations — and Nigeria triumphed in all of them.
Their most iconic victory came in 1976, when the then Green Eagles stunned defending champions Zaire (now DR Congo) 4–2 in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, in the opening Group B match. Nigeria eventually finished third in that tournament behind winners Morocco and runners-up Guinea.
Their rivalry dates back to 1966, when both nations met twice in friendly games. Nigeria won the first encounter 3–2 in Lagos but lost the return match 1–0 in Kinshasa.
DR Congo’s biggest victory over Nigeria came three years later, in December 1969, when the host nation thrashed the Green Eagles 5–0 in Kinshasa — still their largest winning margin in the fixture.
Since then, most matches have swung Nigeria’s way. They defeated DR Congo again at the 1992 and 1994 AFCON tournaments and claimed a 5–2 win in a 2010 friendly in Abuja.
That match, played largely with home-based players, doubled as a send-off game on the day Lars Lagerbäck was unveiled as Super Eagles coach for the 2010 World Cup.
Only three regular internationals — Sani Kaita, Elderson Echiejile and Obinna Nsofor — featured briefly.
The sides met in another send-off match on 28 May 2018 in Port Harcourt, ending 1–1. Current captain William Troost-Ekong scored for Nigeria, while Ben Malango earned DR Congo a draw from the penalty spot.
Their most recent victory in the series belongs to DR Congo — a 2–0 win in a 2015 friendly in Belgium. Chancel Mbemba, who scored in Thursday’s semi-final win over Cameroon to mark his 100th international cap, is the only player from that match still in the Congolese squad.
Head-to-Head Summary
TEAM P W D L F A Nigeria 9 5 1 3 16 15 DR Congo 9 3 1 5 15 16 DATE COMPETITION VENUE SCORELINE 5 November 1966 Friendly Lagos Nigeria 3-2 (Zaire) DR Congo 27 November 1966 Friendly Kinshasa Zaire (DR Congo) 1-0 Nigeria 13 December 1969 Friendly Kinshasa Zaire (DR Congo) 5-0 Nigeria 1 March 1976 AFCON Dire Dawa (Ethiopia) Zaire (DR Congo) 2-4 Nigeria 19 January 1992 AFCON Ziguinchor (Senegal) Zaire (DR Congo) 0-1 Nigeria 2 April 1994 AFCON Tunis, Tunisia Zaire (DR Congo) 0-2 Nigeria 3 March 2010 Friendly Abuja Nigeria 5-2 DR Congo 8 October 2015 Friendly Vise, Belgium DR Congo 2-0 Nigeria 28 May 2018 Friendly Port Harcourt Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo
As they prepare for Sunday’s decisive play-off final, Nigeria are targeting a seventh World Cup appearance. DR Congo, meanwhile, hope to return to the global stage for the first time since 1974, when as Zaire they conceded 14 goals without scoring in group-stage losses to Yugoslavia (0–9), Scotland (0–2) and Brazil (0–3).
Sunday’s match in Rabat promises another intense chapter in a long-running rivalry — and a defining moment for both teams’ World Cup ambitions.
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