DR Congo end 52-year wait for the World Cup

DR Congo have ended a 52-year wait to return to the FIFA World Cup after they defeated Jamaica 1-0 in the final of Pathway 1 of the Inter Confederation Playoffs, held at Estadio Akron in Zapopan on Tuesday 31 March.

The Leopards last played at the World Cup in 1974, making their debut at the tournament in West Germany when their nation was still known as Zaire. They needed extra time to overcome the Reggae Boyz in this clash, with Axel Tuanzebe the unlikely hero by scoring in the 100th of 120 minutes.

DRC will play in Group K at the World Cup, taking on Portugal (June 17 in Houston), Colombia (June 23 in Zapopan), and Uzbekistan (June 27 in Atlanta).

DR Congo threatened a goal from the early stages and even hit the back of the net via Cedric Bakambu’s close-range finish in the fifth minute, but the veteran striker’s effort was ruled out for offside.

Bakambu went on to have further chances in the 12th and 23rd minutes – headed straight at goalkeeper Andre Blake and hit into the side netting respectively – while the closest the Leopards came to a first-half goal was from Meschack Elia in the 33rd minute.

The Turkish-based winger drove a low on target from a tight angle on the right of the penalty area – his effort clipped the outside of Blake’s left foot and rebounded off the base of the near post.

Jamaica took their time to build some attacking momentum, but had promising efforts from Kasey Palmer (which was blocked wide of the target by Chancel Mbemba) and Leon Bailey (a long-range drive which flashed just wide of the mark).

Goalless at half time, DRC almost claimed the lead early in the second half via a curling long-range shot from Bakambu, but Blake made a brilliant save to keep his team level.

The African side’s frustrations grew through the second half, as they struggled to build any kind of momentum or pressure. Bakambu had the ball in the back of the net again in the 86th minute, but substitute Theo Bongonda – who provided the assist – was offside in the build-up.

Extra time was called for and the match appeared to be headed in much the same direction, until the 100th minute when defender Axel Tuanzebe got on the end of Brian Cipenga’s corner kick and somewhat unwittingly bundled the ball over the goal line for 1-0. The goal went under VAR review, but was ultimately awarded.

Tuanzebe then provided some heroics at the other end to deny the Reggae Boyz an immediate reply, and the Leopards were able to see out the remainder of extra time to make history and put themselves back on the global stage for the first time in more than half a century.

DR Congo (0) (0) 1 (Tuanzebe 100’)

Jamaica 0

DRC: Mpasi-Nzau, Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Masuaku (J. Kayembe 106’), Mbuku (E. Kayembe 67’), Sadiki (Mukau 74’), Moutoussamy (Pickel 120+1’), Elia (Bongonda 58’), Wissa (Cipenga 91’), Bakambu

Jamaica: Blake, Webster (Bell 90’), Pinnock, King, Latibeaudiere, Hayden (Fray 83’), Palmer (N. Campbell 91’), DeCordova-Reid (Hall 83’), Bailey, T. Campbell (Mason-Clark 74’), Cadamarteri (Cephas 74’)