Chancel Mbemba struck a dramatic stoppage-time winner as the Democratic Republic of Congo edged Cameroon 1–0 to set up a showdown with Nigeria in the final of the African play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Leopards’ captain slipped away from his marker to head in Brian Cipenga’s deep corner in the first minute of added time, stunning the five-time African champions and securing DR Congo’s place in Sunday’s decisive clash in Rabat.
The defeat ended Cameroon’s quest for a ninth World Cup appearance. Africa’s most frequent participants will miss out on next year’s expanded 48-team edition.
With just six places between the two sides in the FIFA rankings, the semi-final was tightly contested and played in heavy rain, which made conditions difficult at the neutral venue in Morocco.
Cameroon goalkeeper André Onana saved well from Cédric Bakambu just after the hour mark, while Bryan Mbeumo came close at the other end minutes later. Karl Etta Eyong then missed two late opportunities before Mbemba’s decisive strike settled the tie.
DR Congo, whose only World Cup appearance came in 1974 when the nation was known as Zaire, will now face Nigeria—4–1 winners over Gabon after extra time—for a place in March’s six-nation intercontinental play-offs.
The winner of that round will secure one of the final two tickets to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
