DR Congo secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Cameroon in the African play-offs semi-final for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, thanks to a stoppage-time goal from captain Chancel Mbemba.
The Leopards’ skipper ghosted away from his marker to meet Brian Cipenga’s deep corner in the first minute of added time, stunning the five-time African champions.
Cameroon, who hold the record for the most World Cup appearances among African nations with eight, will miss out on the expanded 48-team tournament next year unless they overcome Nigeria in the intercontinental play-offs.
The semi-final, played under heavy rain in neutral Rabat, was tightly contested. Cameroon’s goalkeeper Andre Onana denied Cedric Bakambu with a fine low save on the hour mark, and Bryan Mbeumo narrowly missed five minutes later.
Karl Etta Eyong also failed to convert two late chances before Mbemba’s decisive intervention.
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DR Congo, who made their sole World Cup appearance in 1974 as Zaire, now face Nigeria, who earlier defeated Gabon 4-1 after extra time in the same Moroccan capital.
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The winners of the African play-off final will progress to a six-team intercontinental qualifier in March, where the final two nations will earn a place at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
