Former Chelsea starlet, Gael Kakuta, was in action and helped Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) defeat Benin Republic 2-0 and qualify for the final qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup qualifier.
Going into Sunday’s Group J home clash, Kakuta (who played for Chelsea from 2009 to 2015, and spent most times on loan) and his DRC teammates needed to secure all the three points to usurp leaders Benin.
While all the West African country just needed one point to advance into the play-off round.
But goals in each half from Dieumerci Mbokani and Ben Malango, sealed the qualification for DRC.
Mbokani opened scoring in the 10th minute after converting from the penalty spot before Malango doubled their lead on 74 minutes.
At the end of Group J standing, DRC finished top on 11 points, Benin placed second on 10 points.
The other two teams in the group Tanzania and Madagascar on eight and four points, ended in third and fourth spot respectively.
DRC have now joined Egypt, Mali, Morocco and Senegal in the final round.
By James Agberebi
12 Comments
Don’t even know which team our super eagles will beat if they make it to the next round..bcos these countries are good and they play with purpose..Mr talkative pinick pay the guys and their coaching staffs bcos am very sure our players can do better even the coaches too..pay dem and let dem run play with purpose..Nigerians are very energetic in everything they do…
I watched this match. Omo, DRC were so scary and dangerous. Sometimes, FIFA ranking can flatter to deceive o. Any team that will come up against them in the final round should prepare for war. That match also told me something: it seems we are the only team with a clear qualifying chance that is so still lackadaisical in our approach to matches. I was expecting a lot fire on the face of our players yesterday. Peg Liberia back all game and pound them so hard to at least send jitters down the spine of any team that we will lock horns with in the final phase.
Our attack was blunt, so blunt that we had to rely on penalties to win matches. The only goal threat we carried yesterday was Osimhen, and more often than not, he had to drop deep to retrieve balls instead of staying largely in the business of scoring goals. The supply to this guy was poor , yet our dear coach kept our skilful singers, who would have caused the Leone Stars a lot of troubles on the bench. Something is definitely wrong with Rohr’s tactical quality and coaching style. I hope he knows what he’s doing. I just hope he does because the margin for error in the final round will be very minimal. All the glaring chances Osimhen blew may be summarily punished. Officiating, especially in away games may be terrible. For sure, dollars will be used on some refs to favour teams. Bookmakers will be there influencing matches. Not forgetting the antics certain countries are known for, especially in the north. Any stupid mistake or tactical blunder like this could spell doom. I hope NFF isn’t sleeping. We can’t afford to miss another world cup o.
Nice take @Papafem. I’d have loved to like this a hundred times but CSN has disabled the edit comment and like buttons.
They may yet disable the reply button next if we’re not careful.
Meanwhile “coach” Pinnick has charged the SE against making mistakes.
Ok I, what is going on Cape coast?
Check out the FIFA ranking
1. Senegal
2. Tunisia
3. Algeria
4. Morocco
5. Nigeria
If this ranking remains the same as at March 2021, we might likely avoid any of these teams in the final round. Based on current form, we will surely find any of them extremely difficult to deal with especially now that a winner will be determined in a two-leged final.
And if we drop out of the first 5, we might likely come up against any of
Egypt (6th)
Ghana/SA (7th/12th)
CIV/Cameroon (8th/9th)
Mali (10th)
DRC (13th)
None of these matches will be easy either. And even if Tunisia slips up come Tuesday, Zambia or Equatorial Guinea are waiting to take their place in the final round. These are very stubborn teams to say the least. And they’ve all been fired up by the platform the WC provided to project their countries’ name and better their careers as players. The truth is we have a lot of work to do, honestly. And it’s high time our players stopped playing like village chiefs and take their place as field commanders. We have the talents, not only to qualify but to go far in the competition perse. If we fail to qualify, I see a lot of players leaving through voluntary retirement and other good ones born and bred abroad, who are contemplating joining the team will surely change their mind; WC is one great incentive for any diaspora player wanting to play for SE. Rohr will go too, but the damage his incompetence will cause may take us time to recover from.
I’d advise true fans to minimise their expectations throughout the rest of this WC qualifiers.
Focus your attention on Cape verde first
What damage will his incompetence cause? Some of you just like to talk senseless without any proof to back it cup. SE was the best team in the world when he took over abi rubbish
@ Tayo, people will still respect your opinion without insulting anyone. Kindly note that.
That match nah war, is like Brazil and Columbia game, folks super Eagles needs mercenaries to qualify for Qatar, I don’t see these IG or kings college boys beating any team in second round. Just my opinion miracle and lucks do happens in sport.
Ghana leading by lone goal a penalty converted by Ayew
Ghana is leading