World Cup (Q): DR Congo strike in extra-time to confirm historic qualification

Axel Tuanzebe put his name into the history books on Tuesday evening in Guadalajara, Mexico after the Burnley FC defender scored in extra-time to send DR Congo to their first FIFA World Cup since 1974 with a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in the final of the inter-confederation qualifying playoff.

Brian Cipenga’s corner kick was put in with pace in the 101st minute and the ball ricocheted off Tuanzebe’s body and past Reggae Boyz goalkeeper Andre Blake for the decisive goal.

It was a match filled with tension, with both teams enduring long journeys to reach a point where victory would secure a long-awaited place in the finals while defeat would lead to a devastating trip home. The Congolese got off to a strong start and were more dangerous in the first half, missing out on an apparent early goal from Cédric Bakambu after he was judged offsides.

The momentum swung towards the Caribbean nation after halftime, with the CONCACAF member enjoying multiple set piece opportunities but failing to convert. The Leopards of the DRC did put the ball in the net again but once again, Bakambu was denied a goal by the linesperson’s flag due to offsides.

Resilient DR Congo accomplish World Cup qualification dream

But the Leopards maintained their attacking mentality in extra time and were rewarded with a stroke of good fortune for their efforts.

Cipenga, who delivered the corner kick that led to a crucial winner in the CAF regional qualifying playoff, came off the bench and once again produced another perfect service into the six-yard box. After the ball went past a couple of battling players, it came off the side of Tuanzebe and past Blake.

After a long and suspense-filled VAR review, the goal was confirmed to the elation of the Leopards players and staff.

The match proceeded with the second half of extra time, which slowed down due to an injury suffered by the referee. Regardless, a devastated Jamaica team failed to recover from the set back in the first half of extra-time.

An exhausted Reggae Boyz team failed to find the energy to mount a comeback against the imposing Congolese defense and the full time whistle arrived to an ecstatic reaction from the Leopards and their numerous supporters who traveled to Mexico.

 

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It will be only the second World Cup appearance in the history of the country, who last appeared under the name of Zaïre at the 1974 edition as the first sub-Saharan African nation to qualify.

DR Congo will participate in Group K alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia with their opener taking place on June 17 against group favorites Portugal in Houston, Texas.