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Later on the same evening, fans will witness another mouthwatering clash as Cameroon face the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) at 9:00 PM in the second semifinal of the African playoff, hosted in Morocco. It’s a meeting of two powerhouse nations, both determined to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
🌍 The Road to the Playoffs
Africa’s World Cup qualifiers have delivered excitement and unpredictability, and this playoff stage adds even more drama. The competition features four runners-up from the nine qualifying groups: Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, and DR Congo.
The two semifinal winners will face off in the final on Sunday, November 16, 2025, with the champion earning a chance to compete in FIFA’s intercontinental playoff next March for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
🇨🇲 Cameroon: The Indomitable Lions’ Relentless Pursuit
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon are no strangers to high-pressure situations. Having appeared in eight World Cups, including Qatar 2022, Cameroon has built a reputation for thriving on the big stage.
Under head coach Rigobert Song, the team blends youthful energy with experience. Striker Vincent Aboubakar, midfielder André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and goalkeeper André Onana remain central figures in Cameroon’s quest for glory. Despite narrowly missing out on automatic qualification, Cameroon’s consistency across the qualifiers proved enough to earn them a place in this playoff.
Song’s men are expected to play an aggressive, attack-minded game, using their physicality and pace on the flanks to trouble DR Congo’s defense.
🇨🇩 DR Congo: The Leopards’ Dream Revival
For DR Congo, reaching this stage marks a revival of their footballing ambitions. The Leopards have shown remarkable improvement under coach Sébastien Desabre, relying on discipline, tactical intelligence, and collective effort.
With players like Cédric Bakambu, Gaël Kakuta, and Chancel Mbemba, DR Congo possesses both creativity and strength. The team’s direct style of play and solid defensive structure could make them difficult opponents for Cameroon.
Their journey has been one of resilience — bouncing back from a slow start in the qualifiers to finish second behind Tunisia in their group. Now, they aim to take one more step toward a potential World Cup appearance.
🏟️ Match Information
Fixture: Cameroon vs DR Congo
Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup – African Playoff Semifinal
Venue: Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat (Morocco)
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Kick-off: 9:00 PM local time
🔍 Tactical Outlook
This clash promises a fierce physical contest. Cameroon’s direct attacking style will be tested against DR Congo’s compact defense and counterattacking threat. The battle in midfield — between Anguissa and Kakuta — could determine who controls the rhythm of the match.
Expect a tightly fought encounter, possibly decided by a moment of brilliance or a late goal.
🏆 Prediction
With experience, squad depth, and a history of delivering in high-stakes matches, Cameroon may just have the upper hand. However, DR Congo’s fighting spirit makes them a dangerous opponent.
Predicted Score: Cameroon 1 – 0 DR Congo