DR Congo defeated Cameroon 1–0 to advance to the CAF World Cup qualifying play-off final, thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time strike from Chancel Mbemba that ended the Indomitable Lions’ campaign.
Sébastien Desabre’s side will now face Nigeria on Sunday at 20:00 local time, with the winner earning a place in the FIFA Inter-Continental Play-Off and a potential route to the 2026 World Cup.
The decisive moment came at the death when Marseille defender Mbemba drifted to the back post and turned in a Cipenga corner, triggering wild celebrations from the Leopards’ bench and beating André Onana—who had been outstanding all evening—for the first and only time.
Before that late twist, Cameroon had created the better chances. Bryan Mbeumo wasted the clearest opening in the 65th minute, shooting wide when clean through on Lionel Mpasi.
In the closing moments, Etta Eyong and Nicolas Ngamaleu also missed half-chances as DR Congo held their shape and waited for key set-piece moments.
DR Congo’s game plan relied on discipline and physical presence up front. Cedric Bakambu’s hold-up play troubled the Cameroonian defence, while substitute Fiston Mayele added pace and direct running late on. Behind them, Mpasi was assured under pressure, with a compact back line restricting Cameroon mostly to manageable attempts.
Onana’s heroics—twice denying Bakambu and clawing away a late effort from Mayele—seemed destined to push the match into extra time until Mbemba’s decisive intervention settled a tense, tactical encounter.
Cameroon’s elimination at the semi-final stage is a bitter blow after long spells of disciplined defending. DR Congo, meanwhile, move to within 90 minutes of the Inter-Continental Play-Off in March, where six teams will compete for two World Cup spots.
DR Congo will now face Nigeria in Sunday’s CAF World Cup play-off final in Rabat, with the winner advancing to March’s FIFA Inter-Continental Play-Off and keeping their FIFA World Cup 26™ hopes alive.
Kick-off is at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT) at the Stade Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan.
info@businessghana.com
