2022 World Cup: the DRC, brilliant in Tanzania, keeps its destiny in hand

Congolese Gaël Kakuta, here in Lens jersey in September 2020, guided the Leopards against Tanzania, Thursday November 11, 2021. AP - Michel Spingler

Text by: Nicolas Bamba Follow

4 min

The 5th and penultimate day of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in the Africa zone (second round) saw the Democratic Republic of the Congo win widely in Tanzania, Thursday, November 11.

The Leopards, winners 3-0, are still in the race for qualification in Group J, one day from the end.

Ghana, caught up in Ethiopia (1-1, group G), had a bad operation.

It's worse for Kenya, eliminated after their draw in Uganda (1-1, group E).

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The DRC is provisionally leader of Group J of the

qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup

.

After a sluggish start to the second round and a half-fig, half-grape month of October, with a victory and a defeat against Madagascar, the Leopards struck a big blow Thursday in Dar es Salaam, host city of the match against Tanzania.

The men led by Hector Cuper had an intense start to the match with a first big opportunity conceded against the locals, followed by the opener signed Gaël Kakuta.

The DRC returns to Benin

Found by Dieumerci Mbokani in the penalty area, the Lensois did not procrastinate: successful control, clear strike, 1-0 for the DRC (6th).

In the second half, the visitors made the break thanks in particular to Neeskens Kebano, who entered in the 46th minute instead of Mbokani.

On a corner played for two, the Congolese centered strong at the far post towards Fasika Idumba, author of an unstoppable volley of the flat foot (66th).

Tanzania almost restarted the match but John Bocco's header hit the crossbar, and DRC goalkeeper Joël Kiassumbua was attentive just behind to slam a second header signed Reliants Mwakasugule (78th).

And finally, another leopard substitute, Ben Malango, put an end to the little suspense he remained with a victorious header, ten minutes after coming into play (85th).

While waiting for the result of the match between Benin and Madagascar, the DRC leads Group J with 8 points (like the Beninese).

Tanzania is 3rd with 7 points, Madagascar 4th with 4 points.

► To read also: World Cup 2022: calendar and results of qualifying Africa

Uganda stays away from Mali, Ghana puts little pressure on South Africa

In Group E, neither Uganda nor Kenya came out satisfied with the draw. In Entebbe, the visitors thought they would get their first victory in these qualifiers after captain Michael Olunga opened the scoring with a header in a Ugandan defense spectator (61st). But with the Harambee Stars holding all three points, goaltender Brian Bwire, 21, made a fatal error. While in a hurry, he was slow to grab the ball with his hands and Fahad Bayo took the opportunity to steal it from him and score in the empty cage (89th). The referee did not consider that the attacker had committed a fault.

The consequences of this 1-1 are great.

Kenya, with 3 points on the clock (3rd place), is definitely out of the race for qualification.

And Uganda, 2nd with 9 points, risks seeing the Malian leader (10 points) fly to qualification against Rwanda.

In Group G, Ghana misses the opportunity to put pressure on South Africa and even to pass in front of Bafana Bafana.

Traveling to Johannesburg to challenge Ethiopia (the "home" team), the Black Stars have yet delivered a good first period.

If the goalkeeper Teklemariam Shanko released a beautiful double entry parade against André Ayew and Richmond Boakye, he could not do anything against the direct free kick of the same Ayew.

The captain rolled up a perfect shot to open the scoring (22nd).

In the second half, the Ethiopians sounded the revolt.

Amanuel Yohannes launched a first warning with a long shot on the ridge (57th).

Then, captain Getaneh Kebede punished Ghana with this goal scored with a powerful shot in the box (72nd).

Before challenging Zimbabwe, South Africa remains at the top of Group G with 10 points but a better goal difference than Ghana, 10 points too.

Qualification will be played between these two nations.

Ethiopia, 3rd with 4 points, and Zimbabwe, 4th with 1 point, have already been eliminated.

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