DR Congo sealed a dramatic 1-0 victory over Cameroon on Thursday to book a place in the final of the African play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, setting up a showdown against Nigeria in Rabat.
Leopards captain Chancel Mbemba delivered the decisive moment, rising unmarked to steer Brian Cipenga’s deep corner home in the first minute of stoppage time. The late strike stunned the five-time African champions and ended their hopes of reaching next year’s expanded 48-team World Cup.
Cameroon, who hold the African record for World Cup appearances with eight, will now miss the global showpiece for only the fourth time since their debut in 1982.
The semi-final played under heavy rain in Morocco was a tense, cagey affair between two evenly matched sides separated by just six places in the FIFA rankings. Clear chances were rare, though both teams threatened in the second half. Cameroon goalkeeper André Onana saved well from Cedric Bakambu on the hour mark, while Bryan Mbeumo fired just wide moments later.
Karl Etta Eyong also missed two late openings for the Indomitable Lions before Mbemba’s last-gasp winner sent DR Congo through.
The Leopards, whose only World Cup appearance came in 1974 when the nation was known as Zaire, will now face an in-form Nigeria side that defeated Gabon 4-1 after extra time earlier in the day.
The winner of Sunday’s play-off final will advance to a six-nation intercontinental tournament in March, where the final two qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States will be determined.
DR Congo will now turn their attention to Nigeria, with coach Sébastien Desabre aiming to guide his side to another upset. The Congolese finished two points behind Senegal in Group B after a costly collapse at home, where they surrendered a 2-0 lead and lost 3-2 to the Teranga Lions in September.
Despite the continued injury absence of Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa, DR Congo will count on a lively frontline featuring Bakambu, Théo Bongonda and Fiston Mayele to challenge the Super Eagles’ defence on Sunday.
