DR Congo took a major step toward reviving their World Cup dream on Thursday after edging Cameroon 1–0 in a tense CAF qualifying encounter that ended the Indomitable Lions’ campaign and elevated the Leopards into a decisive playoff showdown with Nigeria.
Rather than a game defined by fluid attacking football, the clash unfolded as a gritty tactical duel—one in which DR Congo’s persistence eventually outlasted Cameroon’s early dominance. With both sides struggling to find a breakthrough, it was Congo’s discipline and patience that paid off deep in the second half.
Veteran defender Chancel Mbemba, who has worn the captain’s armband in some of the country’s biggest football moments, rose to the occasion once again. His composed finish inside the crowded penalty area proved the difference in a match where opportunities were rare and margins slim.
Cameroon launched a late surge, pushing numbers forward in desperate search of an equaliser, but the Congolese backline held firm. Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi commanded his box with authority as DR Congo sealed a victory that could define their path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The result now sets up a blockbuster playoff final against Nigeria, a team the Congolese have not faced at such a high-stakes stage in years. With only one of them advancing to the intercontinental playoffs, the upcoming meeting promises intensity, rivalry, and huge consequences for two football-loving nations hoping to return to the world stage.