2022 World Cup: against Benin, the DRC tears its place for the dams

Congolese striker Dieumerci Mbokani scored the Leopards' first goal against Benin on November 14, 2021. Issouf Sanogo / AFP

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3 min

The Democratic Republic of the Congo will play the third and final qualifying round of the World Cup in Qatar.

The Leopards won, Sunday, November 14, their "final" of the second round in Group J against Benin (2-0), in a match marked by a penalty which is debated.

The DRC ranks first on the wire.

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Hector Cuper

, DRC coach for six months and one day, has succeeded in his initial mission.

For the first time since 1974, the national team (still called Zaire at the time) will play the last round of the World Cup qualifiers.

The Congolese triumphed in the final group J sprint on Sunday at the Stade des Martyrs.

The first place, the only qualifier for the dams, goes to the DRC.

Benin, victim of the Leopards' day, inherits the second, the most infuriating, for a point.

A penalty contested at the start of the match

The results of the matches of the 5th and penultimate day, November 11, set the tone for this final DRC-Benin: the locals (8 points) had

, while the visitors (10 points) could settle for a draw to keep first place.

In Kinshasa, the meeting quickly took an unfavorable turn for the Beninese.

On a cross from the left, Khaled Adenon found himself in contact with Ben Malango in the area.

Gabonese referee Eric Otogo-Castane saw a defender foul on the striker.

Despite the protests of the Squirrels, he did not change his mind and validated the penalty awarded to the DRC.

Dieumerci Mbokani did not pray and transformed him despite the dive of goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbe (10th).

The referee protected by a safety cordon

In the second half, Ben Malango scored the goal of the break in the 75th, freeing his team and destroying the last hopes of Benin.

At the final whistle, the Leopards and their supporters - some were present in the stands despite the closed session - were able to let their joy burst out ... and the Squirrels their anger.

Tense, the Beninese came to protest to Mr. Otogo-Castane, and a security cordon had to be deployed around the refereeing body.

2-0 for DRC.

It's folded.

A bogus penalty and a closed door not respected with a platform filled and surrounded by a fanfare.

Only in Africa ... #RDCBEN

- Nabil Djellit (@Nabil_djellit) November 14, 2021

With 11 points, the Congolese finished in first place in Group J ahead of Benin, 10 points. The DRC is the 5th team to qualify for the 3rd round after Morocco, Senegal, Mali and Egypt. At the same time, Madagascar and Tanzania, the other two teams in Group J, drew 1-1 (Simon Msuva's goal for Tanzania, Hakim Abdallah's equalizer for Barea). The Tanzanians are classified in third place (8 points), the Malagasy in fourth place (4 points).

In group G, the same score between Zimbabwe and Ethiopia (goal by Kudakwashe Mahachi for the Warriors, equalization signed by Abubeker Nasir Ahmed for the Walya).

Again, the match was straightforward because the first place will be played between South Africa (13 points) and Ghana (10 points).

Ethiopia is third (5 points) and Zimbabwe is fourth (2 points).

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

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• DRC

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• Madagascar

• Tanzania

• Zimbabwe

• Ethiopia