Democratic Republic of the Congo have secured a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dramatic extra-time victory over Jamaica, ending a 52-year absence from the global tournament.
In a nerve cracking playoff that went beyond 90 minutes, it was defender Axel Tuanzebe who made the difference. He forced the ball over the line in the 101st minute after a chaotic set-piece, sealing a 1-0 win and sparking emotional celebrations among players and fans.
The Leopards had pushed hard throughout the match in search of a breakthrough. Earlier, a flowing move involving Cedric Bakambu and Theo Bongonda appeared to have opened the scoring, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
That moment added to the tension on a night that will go down as one of the most memorable in the country’s football history.
The victory marks DR Congo’s return to the World Cup for the first time in more than five decades, a milestone that carries significance not only for the nation but also for African football.
Attention now turns to the tournament itself, where DR Congo have been drawn in Group K alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia.
By: Pascal Amoah
