November 14 – Cameroon’s World Cup dream came crashing down on Thursday after the DR Congo’s Chancel Mbemba’s late strike dumped the Indomitable Lions out of the African playoffs.
In Rabat, Morocco, Mbemba, the Leopards captain, escaped his marker to connect with Brian Cipenga’s corner in injury time and get the late winner to end Cameroon’s World Cup hopes. The Congolese will play Nigeria, who defeated Gabon 4-1 in the other semi-final of the African World Cup playoffs.
Cameroon have participated eight times in the World Cup, the most of any African country. The match had been cagey and seemed destined for extra time until Mbemba’s late winner.
The defeat will increase the pressure on Cameroon’s manager Marc Brys, who has endured a difficult relationship with Fecafoot chairman Samuel Eto’o.
Nigeria needed extra time against Gabon after Mario Lamine cancelled out Akor Adams’s opener. But, ultimately, the Super Eagles came good with goals from Chidure Ejuke in the 97th minute and Victor Osimhen in both the 102nd and 110th minute.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and have struggled in qualifying for 2026. They have changed managers twice, needed a last-minute goal against Benin to make the playoffs and earlier this week, players and technical staff boycotted training over unpaid allowances and match bonuses.
The winners of Sunday’s continental play-off final between Nigeria and DR Congo will progress to a six-team intercontinental qualifier, which will be held in March and will determine the last two World Cup finalists. The draw for the tournament will be staged on December 5 in Washington D.C.
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