Bakambu’s 7‑Minute Goal Wins DR Congo 1‑0 Over Togo

When Cédric Bakambu, striker for Al‑Nassr FC tucked away the only goal of the night in the seventh minute, the DR Congo national team celebrated a 1‑0 win that kept them perched in second place of FIFA World Cup 2026 CAF QualifiersStade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo, on Friday, October 10, 2025. The lone strike not only secured three points but also widened the gap to group leaders Senegal, while the hosts Togo national team slumped to a disappointing home defeat.

Match Overview

The atmosphere at the 25,000‑seat Stade de Kégué was electric, with local fans hoping a early goal could spur a comeback. Instead, Bakambu’s low‑drive from the edge of the box beat goalkeeper Djibril N'Diaye, and the ball hugged the post before finding the net. From there, the game unfolded as a tense defensive duel; both sides exchanged fouls, and the referee’s whistle became a frequent soundtrack.

Key Moments and Discipline

After the opening goal, the match remained tightly contested. The first yellow card fell on DR Congo’s forward F. Mayele in the 34th minute for a reckless challenge. Togo’s midfielders soon felt the heat: K. Boateng and Y. Annor were booked back‑to‑back in the 46th and 64th minutes respectively. A flurry of cautions in the 64th‑minute window saw G. Yenoussi, N. Mbuku and M. Amevor each receive yellow cards, reflecting the high‑stakes tension.

Later, DR Congo’s defender E. Kayembe was shown a yellow in the 82nd minute after a late tackle on Togo’s forward A. Wan‑Bissaka. The final whistle blew at 1‑0, confirming Bakambu’s decisive moment and cementing a clean sheet for DR Congo.

Group B Standings and What It Means

With the win, DR Congo moved to 19 points after nine games – six wins, one draw and two losses – putting them squarely in second place behind Senegal’s 21 points. The group table, as reported by ESPN on October 10, looks like this:

• Senegal: 21 points (6‑3‑0, +15 GD)
• DR Congo: 19 points (6‑1‑2, +8 GD)
• Sudan: 13 points (3‑4‑2, +3 GD)
• Togo & Mauritania: 7 points each (1‑4‑4, –5 GD)
• South Sudan: 4 points (0‑4‑5, –16 GD)

The implication is clear: DR Congo now needs just a point from their final group fixture to lock in the runner‑up slot, which could open a playoff route to the World Cup. Togo, however, faces an uphill battle; with only one game left, they must hope other results swing in their favor while securing a win themselves.

Coaches' Perspectives

After the match, DR Congo’s French‑born head coach Sébastien Desabre, head coach praised his side’s discipline: “We stuck to the plan, took our chances early and defended stoutly. The card count shows the intensity, but the result is what matters.”

Togo’s Portuguese manager Paulo Duarte, head coach was more restrained. “A home loss is painful, especially after conceding so early. We’ll regroup, focus on the next match, and try to turn the tide,” he said in a brief post‑match interview.

Looking Ahead: Final Fixtures and Qualification Paths

DR Congo’s last group match pits them against Sudan on October 20, 2025, in Khartoum. A draw suffices, but a win would erase any doubts about their playoff eligibility. Meanwhile, Togo’s remaining game is against Mauritania in Nouakchott on the same day. A victory, combined with a slip‑up from Sudan, would revive their qualification hopes, though the mathematics remain harsh.

Should DR Congo finish second, they will enter the CAF‑Euro‑Asia inter‑continental playoff, where a single triumph could land them in North America for the 2026 World Cup – a historic first since the nation’s debut in 2018.

Background on the CAF Qualification Process

The African zone allocates five direct berths for the 2026 World Cup, with a potential sixth spot via the inter‑continental playoff. Ten groups of six teams each play a double‑round robin; group winners qualify automatically. Runners‑up are ranked and the top two may earn a chance in the playoff, while the remaining four enter a separate knockout round. This format, unveiled by FIFA in March 2023, aims to increase competitive balance and reward consistency across the continent.

For DR Congo, the road has been a roller‑coaster. After a shaky start in 2023, they regrouped under Desabre, integrating European‑based talent like Bakambu with home‑grown players. Their recent form – six wins in eight matches – reflects a blend of tactical rigidity and attacking flair.

Togo, on the other hand, has struggled to find rhythm. Their lone win came against Mauritania earlier this year, and a series of draws have left them stuck in the lower half of the table. The federation’s leadership has hinted at possible squad changes if the team fails to secure a point in the final fixture.