Ex Newcastle defender knocks out Cameroon in injury time

For African football lovers, today was a joyful day. Not only did they had a chance to see two additional games due to the World Cup playoff system, but they had a chance to see two matches with dramatic finishes. While the Nigeria – Gabon game was full of chances, goals (4-1) and even extra time, the Cameroon – DR Congo was much more quieter affair but the final result came in injury time and it’s a surprising one – the Leopards are going to the finals to meet Nigeria after Chancel Mbemba’s winner. Former Newcastle, Porto and Marseille defender was the most cunning one of all players in the penalty area and used Cameroon’s poor heading to score from the left post after a corner kick.

This will shock the Indomitable Lions as their football team was already under pressure due to a conflict between FA president Samuel Eto’o and Cameroon’s minister of sport. Coach Marc Brys, selected by the minister and not Eto’o was under constant pressure and often sabotaged by the famous footballer. His players had to come out with a joint statement and call for unity in March this year. Cameroon hold the record for the most appearances by an African nation at the global tournament, yet the eight-time World Cup participants will now enter another circle of crisis.

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In a not so quality game, DR Congo managed to parry Cameroon’s strong squad, which was missing Napoli’s Andre-Franck Zambo Anguissa, who was injured, and eventually scored in the dying minutes of the game. A very poor first half ended with only three opportunities, two of which came from Cameroon. The first one happened in the sixth minute already, when Bryan Mbeumo broke into the penalty area after a couple of passes but his finish was not good as he took a shot straight at DR Congo’s keeper M’Pasi. The United’s forward created even better chance in the 22nd minute, when he crossed the ball to Eyong, but his teammate’s shot was just close. The only DR Congo’s chance in the first half came after 30 minutes, when Bongonda finally got the ball, but fired over.

It took both teams a good 15 minutes to create any chance in the second half, but then Onana showed great skills and saved the shot from Bakambu who suddenly broke alone. This should have been 1-0 for the Leopards, but it should have been 1-1 also. Bryan Mbemo had a terrific opportunity in the 65th minute when he showed up alone in front of M’Pasi, but somehow managed to miss the goal completely and the ball whistled near the left post. The revenge came in the 91st minute, when Chancel Mbemba got the ball at the far post and earned the right to field Leopards against Nigeria on Sunday.

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - AFRICA

Play-off semi-finals

Thursday

Nigeria - Gabon 4-1 a.e.t (1-1)

/Adams 78, Ejuke 97, Osimhen 102, 109 - Lemina M. 89/

Cameroon - DR Congo 0-1 (0-0)

/Mbemba 90+1/

***odds are subject to change***