Cameroon vs DR Congo LIVE: World Cup play-off result, latest updates and reaction as Leopards through to final

In partnership with

Evening Standard

·13 novembre 2025

Cameroon vs DR Congo LIVE: World Cup play-off result, latest updates and reaction as Leopards through to final

Place in play-off final up for grabs

Chancel Mbemba scored a winner in stoppage time to send the Democratic Republic of Congo into the African World Cup qualifying play-off final, as the Leopards beat Cameroon 1-0 in Rabat, Morocco. In a game of very few chances at the Stade El Barid, it seemed as though both sides would cancel each other out as an additional half an hour loomed on a rainy evening in north Africa.

Manchester United’s in-form Bryan Mbeumo went agonisingly close for Marc Brys’ side in the second half, stabbing just wide of the near post after he was sent through. Mbeumo’s United colleague and on-loan Trabzonspor goalkeeper Andre Onana produced a fine save to deny Cedric Bakambu, while Theo Bongonda lashed over a fine chance for the DR Congo.

However, it was a defender who would show the forwards how to do it, as the former Newcastle centre-back Mbemba ghosted in at the far post to slot home from a Brian Cipenga corner. It means that Cameroon, who have played at eight World Cups, will not be going to their ninth, while Sebastien Desabre’s DR Congo will take on Nigeria in a hotly-contested play-off final.