THE WORLD CUP qualification race is heating up.
It may be the biggest tournament ever after expanding to 48 teams, but countries are still vying to compete in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The African qualifiers came to an end today, with a final match to decide which country would go into the inter-confederation play-offs in March.
That was between Nigeria and DR Congo, with the match going to penalties after it finished 1-1 after extra time.
Eventually, after the first three kicks were missed, it was DR Congo that knocked out the Super Eagles with a 4-3 win in the shootout.
The third penalty converted by the winners was by Celtic star Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who had come off the bench in extra time for his international debut.
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It was a massive contribution from the Hoops winger, and DR Congo fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to laud the debutant.
One fan said: “Very promising entrance by Michel-Ange Balikwisha. Has the DRC found its saviour?”
Another posted: “Balikwisha, in two minutes he did more than all the [other] Congo wingers.”
A third wrote: “[Timothy] Fayulu and Balikwisha… you are officially my proteges! I’ll take bullets for you!”
Another said: “Balikwisha is now my brother.”
It wasn’t such a good day for Calvin Bassey.
The former Rangers star was the man to miss the first kick of the shootout for Nigeria.
DR Congo will go through to the inter-confederation play-off, where Bolivia from South America and New Caledonia from Oceania have also qualified.
They will be joined by a qualifier each from Asia and North America.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
