Football/ DRC snatches dramatic victory over Cameroon to reach World Cup playoff final
In a rain-soaked, tense semi-final in Rabat, the Democratic Republic of Congo secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Cameroon in stoppage time, booking their place in the final of the 2026 World Cup African playoff tournament.
The match was a physical, tightly-contested battle with few clear chances. Cameroon started brightly, but the Leopards grew into the game, creating the better opportunities.
Goalkeepers were the heroes in the second half, with Cameroon’s André Onana making a spectacular reflex save to deny Cédric Bakambu.
Just as the match seemed destined for extra time, DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba emerged as the hero. In the 91st minute, he lost his marker on a corner and fired a precise left-footed volley into the net to break Cameroonian hearts.
The goal was particularly cruel for Cameroon, as Mbemba had also cleared a goal-bound header from Vincent Aboubakar off the line just minutes earlier.
The victory sends DR Congo into a final against Nigeria, with the winner advancing to the intercontinental playoffs for a chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. For Cameroon, the defeat marks a painful end to their campaign.
