DR Congo’s first-choice goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi, has revealed that he personally suggested to head coach Sébastien Desabre to bring on second-choice goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu specifically for the penalty shootout.
DR Congo defeated Nigeria 4–3 on penalties after regulation time ended 1–1 in the final of the Africa World Cup Qualifying Play-off Tournament in Morocco, securing the continent’s sole ticket to the inter-confederation playoffs scheduled for March 2026.
In a bold tactical move moments before the final whistle, Desabre substituted Mpasi for Fayulu to prepare for the impending penalty shootout. The decision proved decisive.
Fayulu delivered two brilliant saves, denying Moses Simon with Nigeria’s second kick and later stopping Semi Ajayi’s effort, which allowed captain Chancel Mbemba to secure the winning advantage.
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Speaking after the match, Mpasi explained that the team had practiced numerous penalty scenarios during training, and Fayulu consistently excelled. He added that at halftime of extra time, he informed the coach to preserve a substitution in case the game went to penalties.
“We work a lot on penalty kicks in training. Tim is very good at it,” Mpasi said. “He told me he’d experienced something similar at Sion, he came on during the penalty shootout and saved his club.
“That’s how he earned his place. At halftime of extra time, I asked the coach to keep a substitution on hand just in case, because I felt Tim was ready for the penalty shootout. Thank God, it worked.”
Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali also impressed in the shootout, making two key saves, but his efforts were ultimately not enough to push Nigeria past the finish line.
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