The Leopards of DR Congo struggled to find goals but were well in control on Friday in a 1-0 home victory over South Sudan in Group B action from 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
Théo Bongonda's first half strike from twenty yards out was enough for the hosts at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa, who had little to worry about against a bunkering South Sudan side.
The first half saw several opportunities for the hosts and it appeared that a strong goalkeeping performance from Bright Stars shot stopper Majak Mawith would keep the match scoreless at halftime. However, Spartak Moscow attacker Bongonda found room to swiftly cut inside and unleash an accurate low strike beyond the reach of Mawith.
It was a rather uninspired performance from the Leopards who failed to expand their advantage in the second half but outside of a solitary corner kick for South Sudan, the goal from Bongonda was enough.
DR Congo, now level at the top of Group B with Sudan on ten points, will watch the rest of the fifth matchday from the group on Saturday before traveling to face Mauritania on Tuesday. South Sudan will travel to Benghazi, Libya to face rivals Sudan, also on Tuesday.
Group B Table
GP | Points | |
Sudan | 4 | 10 |
DR Congo | 5 | 10 |
Senegal | 4 | 8 |
Togo | 4 | 3 |
South Sudan | 5 | 2 |
Mauritania | 4 | 1 |
The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Four of the nine group runners-up qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative at the intercontinental qualifying playoff.
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