Chancel Mbemba was the hero for DR Congo as his stoppage-time purpose sealed a dramatic 1–0 victory over Cameroon, organising a mouthwatering remaining conflict with Nigeria within the African play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Leopards captain struck within the first minute of added time, drifting away from his marker to go dwelling Brian Cipenga’s deep nook and stun the five-time African champions on the Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat.
It was a heartbreaking evening for Cameroon, who maintain the African report for probably the most World Cup appearances with eight however will now miss the expanded 48-team event subsequent 12 months.
The semi-final was a decent and tense affair, performed beneath heavy rain that made situations tough. Each groups created few clear possibilities, with Congo’s Cedric Bakambu forcing a tremendous low save from Andre Onana on the hour mark, whereas Bryan Mbeumo fired narrowly vast for Cameroon shortly after.
The Indomitable Lions had two late alternatives by way of Karl Etta Eyong, however the ahead didn’t convert earlier than Mbemba’s last-gasp winner despatched the Congolese followers into wild celebration.
The outcome means DR Congo, whose solely World Cup look got here in 1974 after they have been generally known as Zaire, will now tackle Nigeria — who defeated Gabon 4–1 after further time earlier within the day — in Sunday’s play-off remaining in Rabat.
The winner of the ultimate will advance to a six-team intercontinental qualifier in March, the place two nations will safe the ultimate spots on the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and america.
Each DR Congo and Nigeria will likely be chasing historical past, with the Tremendous Eagles aiming to succeed in their seventh World Cup and the Leopards dreaming of a return to soccer’s largest stage after greater than 5 a long time.
