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Chancel Mbemba struck a dramatic stoppage-time winner as the Democratic Republic of Congo edged past Cameroon 1-0 to book a date with Nigeria in the final of the African play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Leopards’ captain slipped free of his marker to meet Brian Cipenga’s deep corner in the first minute of added time, stunning the five-time African champions and sending DR Congo into Sunday’s decisive clash in Rabat.

The defeat ended Cameroon’s hopes of reaching a ninth World Cup. The Indomitable Lions, Africa’s most frequent participants at the tournament, will miss out on next year’s expanded 48-team edition.

READ ALSO: Osimhen Scores Brace As Nigeria Thrash Gabon 4-1 To Qualify For W’Cup Play-Off Final

With just six places separating the teams in the FIFA world rankings, the semi-final encounter was evenly balanced and played in heavy rain that made conditions tricky at the neutral venue in Morocco.

Cameroon goalkeeper André Onana produced a fine low save to keep out Cédric Bakambu just after the hour mark, while Bryan Mbeumo went close for the Lions minutes later.

Mbeumo’s teammate Karl Etta Eyong also squandered two late chances before Mbemba’s decisive finish settled the contest.

DR Congo, whose only World Cup appearance came in 1974, when the country was still known as Zaire, will now face Nigeria, who earlier defeated Gabon 4-1 after extra time, for a spot in the six-nation intercontinental play-offs scheduled for March.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Super Eagles on their emphatic 4-1 victory over Gabon in Thursday’s FIFA World Cup qualifying Africa Playoff match.

Tinubu, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, described the performance as a clear expression of the Nigerian character that rises, adapts, and prevails.

He noted that the team played with courage, balance, and precision, and reminded the country that football has always been one of Nigeria’s most potent symbols of unity and shared pride.

He stated that the victory adds fresh momentum to the national spirit and strengthens the collective resolve to secure a place at the World Cup.

READ ALSO: Osimhen Scores Brace As Nigeria Thrash Gabon 4-1 To Qualify For W’Cup Play-Off Final

President Tinubu commended the players, the coaching staff, and the entire technical and administrative crew for their unwavering commitment to the national cause, adding that the dedication has brought the national team victory.

He added that the victory reflects the deep pool of talent that Nigeria continues to produce and the determination of the Super Eagles to reclaim their place among the continent’s most respected teams.

The President also praised the millions of Nigerians at home and abroad who continue to support the team with passion and loyalty, emphasising that their energy remains a powerful driving force for the players, especially at critical moments of international competition.

In a message to the squad, President Tinubu reiterated the need for the team to build on this victory and remain focused on the remaining qualifiers.

He stated that every match presents an opportunity to show discipline and character, and to prove again that Nigeria’s ambition is firmly within reach.

Nigeria strengthened their bid for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday as striker Victor Osimhen scored twice to inspire the Super Eagles to a 4-1 victory over Gabon in extra time, securing their place in the play-off final.

Akor Adams put Nigeria ahead in the 78th minute, but just as the Super Eagles seemed poised for a 1-0 win, Mario Lemina struck for Gabon in the 89th minute, sending the match into extra time.

In extra time, Nigeria regained the lead when substitute Chidera Ejuke scored his first goal for the Super Eagles after 97 minutes.

Osimhen, who squandered a great chance to win the match at the end of regular time, firing wide with only goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba to beat, atoned on 102 minutes, firing across goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba into the far corner after being set up by Benjamin Fredrick.

READ ALSO: [World Cup Play-Off] Peterside Confident Of Nigeria’s Victory Against Gabon

He struck again on 110 minutes, controlling a long pass before once again beating Mbaba with a shot into the far corner.

Nigeria will play Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo, who kick off at 1900 GMT, in the African final on Sunday with a place in six-nation inter-continental play-offs next March up for grabs.

The two winners of finals in the tournament will qualify for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Bolivia and New Caledonia have already secured slots.

Nigeria sprang a pre-match surprise by leaving regular captain and centre-back William Troost-Ekong on the bench with Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi wearing the armband.

Another substitute was Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka, whose late goal in a 4-0 group win over Benin last month enabled Nigeria to pip Burkina Faso for a play-offs place.

Nigeria had a purple patch midway through the opening half with Osimhen coming close three times to breaking the deadlock.

The 26-year-old Galatasaray striker headed wide twice, then had an appeal for handball turned down after a VAR review.

There was another VAR check on the hour after Nigeria full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel pulled the shirt of Aaron Appindangoye in the box, denying the defender a chance to connect with a free-kick.

After a lengthy review, Gabonese appeals for a penalty were turned down by South African referee Abongile Tom.

The deadlock in a tense showdown was finally broken when Sevilla winger Adams intercepted a misplaced Gabon pass, rounded goalkeeper Mbaba and scored.

There was an element of luck about the Gabon equaliser as Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali appeared to have the shot from Lemina covered until it took a deflection and sneaked into the corner of the net.

The Super Eagles have unveiled their starting XI for Thursday’s decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff encounter against Gabon, taking place at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.

According to an update on the team’s official X handle, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi will captain the side, with Calvin Bassey and Frederick Marshal anchoring the defence.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) also confirmed that Alex Iwobi is set to earn his 90th international cap, while Victor Osimhen will lead the frontline alongside Akor Adams.

Team News ️

©️ Ndidi leads the team as captain
️ Bassey and Frederick marshal the defense
Iwobi makes his 90th Super Eagles appearance#NGAGAB #SoarSuperEagles #FIFAWCQ pic.twitter.com/mUaRJy1YqV

Starting line-up:

Goalkeeper: Stanley Nwabali
Defenders: Benjamin Frederick, Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Captain), Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze
Forwards: Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams

Substitutes include Maduka Okoye, Ola Aina, Frank Onyeka, Michael Onyemaechi, Abdullahi, Moses Simon, Obasogie, Nwadike, Chidozie Awaziem, and Olusegun.

The Super Eagles lost the Group C automatic slot to South Africa, finishing on 17 points, one behind the Bafana Bafana after the last round of qualifiers last month.

South Africa plans to bid for the 2036 or 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the government said Thursday, aiming to bring one of the world’s biggest sporting events to Africa for the first time.

The country was the first on the continent to host the football World Cup in 2010.

“South Africa initiates its intention to bid for the 2036 and 2040 Olympic Games,” Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said in a press briefing.

She said Pretoria had entered into “continuous dialogue with the International Olympic Committee”, headed since June by Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry.

It is as a “preliminary and exploratory engagement that is critical to advance South Africa’s intention to bid for the hosting rights of the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Ntshavheni said, without specifying the potential host city.

READ ALSO: US Olympic Policy Change Bans Transgender Women In Women’s Events

Cape Town had bid to host the 2004 Games, which ultimately went to Athens in a 1997 vote.

Ntshavheni said South Africa wouldn’t require significant investment to improve its already available infrastructure.

“Even if we are offered the games tomorrow, the cabinet is confident that we should be able to host them with our facilities,” she said.

In a visit to South Africa in October 2024, former IOC president Thomas Bach had said the country had “the stability, the infrastructure and vision to stage an Olympics”.

Senegal’s Dakar will next year be the first city on the continent to host the Youth Olympics, from October 31 to November 14, 2026.

The next Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles in 2028, and the 2032 Games have been awarded to Brisbane, Australia.

In October, Munich voters approved a plan for a bid to host the Summer Olympics in 2036, 2040, or 2044. The German city last hosted the Games in 1972.

South Africa has been putting its weight behind international sporting events, and has bid to host a Formula One Grand Prix at its historic Kyalami track near Johannesburg from 2027.

Africa’s most industrialised economy is also the main organiser of the 2027 men’s Cricket World Cup.

A former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peterside Idah, believes Nigeria will win Thursday’s 2026 World Cup play-off against Gabon. 

Peterside spoke on Thursday’s edition of Sunrise Daily, saying the Super Eagles have an edge over the Panthers of Gabon despite a bonus row on the eve of the encounter.

“Naturally, we should win. In the last 41 years, we have played games against Gabon and they have only beaten us once. So, we have an advantage, and we are Nigerians,” Peterside, a former goalkeeper who played for Rangers of Enugu, said on the morning show.

“I have always said it, I am so proud to be from this great country. We produce potential. We have everything we need to succeed. It is just the management of it that is the problem. We should beat Gabon, and I do think we should beat Gabon.”

“I want Nigeria to qualify. I have my passport ready to travel to the Americas to go and watch the World Cup,” the former football-now-turned-pastor said.

READ ALSO: [Preview] Nigeria Face Gabon In Crucial 2026 World Cup Play-Off

On Wednesday, the Super Eagles resolved a bonus row with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The team had boycotted training on Tuesday, citing the federation’s non-payment of a backlog of allowances dating back to 2019.

However, on the eve of the crunch tie against Gabon, captain William Troost-Ekong took to his X handle to confirm that the issue had been resolved and players are now focused on the game.

“Issue RESOLVED. Outstanding financials cleared and on the ground,” the defender wrote, but did not mention details of the payment. 

“Team is UNITED and focused as before on representing NIGERIA with our maximum for the games ahead!” 

Despite the resolution, Peterside faulted the NFF for its inability to settle the bills.

According to him, the development could undermine the team’s momentum going into the match.

“I have also come to the understanding that the NFF, or the people who run our football, have failed to understand that football is about the players. Not about the management, NFF president, or whoever runs our football,” he said.

“It is all about the players themselves, and if these players are not happy or things are not in order, they will not perform. It affects every one of us who supports them.”