When Democratic Republic of Congo national football team walked onto the pitch at Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa on Sunday, June 9, 2024, the atmosphere crackled with the promise of a World Cup qualifier that could keep their campaign alive.

Why the match mattered

The encounter was part of 2026 FIFA World Cup African Qualifiers Group BKinshasa, a decisive round where only the group leader earns a direct ticket to the tournament slated for North America. With Senegal perched at the summit, DR Congo needed a win to stay within striking distance, while Togo were already flirting with elimination.

Historical head‑to‑head and recent form

Statistically, the Leopards have been the dominant side – they’ve won ten of the last twelve meetings, including four of the last five clashes since 2017. The only recent upset came in September 2013 when Togo surprised DR Congo 2‑1 in a qualifier. Since then, the balance of power has tilted heavily toward the Congolese camp.

Going into the game, DR Congo’s record read DDWLDD (draw, draw, win, loss, draw, draw). Their most recent outing was a 1‑1 stalemate with Senegal, a match where Fiston Mayele struck in the 85th minute. Defensively, they’d been stingy, conceding just four goals in their previous six fixtures.

Togo, by contrast, entered with a DDLWDD run – a 1‑1 draw against South Sudan being their latest result. They had allowed seven goals over the same span, exposing frailties at the back that the Leopards were quick to exploit.

Match details – a narrow victory

The game unfolded as a tense, low‑scoring affair. DR Congo’s breakthrough came in the 72nd minute when a swift counter‑attack saw Yoane Wissa finish cleanly from close range. The goal proved enough; the final whistle confirmed a 1‑0 win for the home side.

Beyond the scoreboard, the result had several implications:

• DR Congo remained within touching distance of the group’s top spot, preserving a realistic shot at automatic qualification.
• Togo’s hopes of sneaking back into contention evaporated, leaving them to reflect on a campaign that had already begun to crumble.
• The win marked the Leopards’ ninth clean sheet in ten home games across all competitions – a testament to their disciplined defensive organization.

Reactions from the sidelines

After the match, the DR Congo coach praised his side’s composure, noting that “the crowd at Stade des Martyrs gave us the extra push we needed.” Meanwhile, Togo’s captain lamented missed opportunities, saying the team “could have turned the tide if we had been sharper in the final minutes.”

Betting analysts had leaned heavily toward a Congolese victory. Sports Gambler listed DR Congo at +112 odds, translating to roughly a 44.4% win probability – numbers that seemed generous after the 1‑0 outcome.

What this means for the qualification race

Senegal, sitting atop Group B, still held the clear advantage, but DR Congo’s win narrowed the gap to just a single point. With two matches remaining – an away fixture against Senegal and a home showdown with Togo in October 2025 – the Leopards will need to stay disciplined.

Should DR Congo clinch a favorable result against Senegal, they could force a final‑day showdown that would decide the group winner. For Togo, the October 10, 2025 reverse fixture at Kegue Stadium in Lomé will likely be a formality, but they’ll still aim to be the spoiler that rattles the standings.

Broader context – African football and the 2026 World Cup

Africa has nine direct slots and one inter‑continental playoff for the 2026 tournament. Nations like DR Congo view the qualifiers not just as a path to the World Cup, but also as a platform to showcase the growth sparked by their recent semi‑final run at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Togo, still chasing their first AFCON appearance, will have to rebuild after this setback.

Ultimately, the Kinshasa clash underscored the fine margins that define World Cup qualification in Africa – one goal, one draw, one defensive lapse can swing a nation’s destiny.