Late Blow Ends Jamaica’s World Cup Dream Against DR Congo
Sloppy strike secures a berth at this summer’s World Cup as DR Congo hit the jackpot
Jamaica’s dreams of returning to the World Cup finals were dashed by DR Congo, who defeated the Reggae Boyz 1-0 after extra-time in Mexico on Tuesday night.
The Boyz put up a fight, far superior to Thursday’s tepid 1-0 triumph over New Caledonia. Yet they still lacked the rhythm and verve required to book their first FIFA World Cup appearance since 1998.
It proved to be third time lucky for DR Congo as far as VAR reviews were concerned in an eventful tie. The Central African side twice had goals disallowed for offside, but celebrated their 100th strike after it was checked for hand ball off goalscorer Axel Tuanzebe.
Jamaica interim head coach Rudolph Speid made a triple change from the New Caledonia match for the make-or-break FIFA Inter-Continental Play-Off Tournament final inside the Estadio Akron in Zapopan.
Kasey Palmer replaced Karoy Anderson in midfield. Whizzy wingers Leon Bailey and Bobby De Cordova-Reid, both ineffective second-half substitutes against New Caledonia, started in favour of Andre Brooks and Ephron Mason-Clark.
DR Congo, widely reported online to earn a whopping US$1m bonus each by qualifying for this summer prestigious tournament, found the back of the net after just five minutes.
It was good news for Jamaican fans following a VAR review, as referee Facundo Tello chalked off Cedric Bakambu’s tap-in from Meschack Elia’s low cross for offside.
Jamaica remained on the back foot during the early exchanges, with skipper Andre Blake called into action and save Bakambu’s header from Nathanael Mbuku’s pinpoint cross on 12 minutes.
Although it was a tense tie throughout, it lacked the physicality anticipated for such a major prize between teams that had been given a second shot at reaching the 2026 World Cup finals. Maybe the high altitude and temperature of 26 degrees slowed down the sides and zapped their energy levels.
The Boyz lifted their game before the drinks break on 23 minutes, with keeper Lionel M’Pasi swift off his line to snuff out a potential effort from De Cordova-Reid and easily deal with Ethan Pinnock’s tame header.
On the half-hour mark chances fell for Jamaica. De Cordova-Reid set up Palmer, whose shot was blocked by Chancel Mbemba, and Bailey overhit his corner into the waiting arms of M’Pasi.
DR Congo immediately turned up the pressure and came perilously close to breaking the deadlock. Yoane Wissa outwitted Palmer and picked out Meschack Elia, who beat Blake from close range but was thwarted by the near side right post.
Versatile Ronaldo Webster, who slotted in as left-back but frequently attacked to leave the Boyz with a back three but far more purpose, was shown the first yellow card on 35 minutes.
This caution seemed to unsettle the sides, who both took their foot off the gas as they ended the opening half all square.
Straight after the turnaround Blake made a magnificent full stretch save to prevent Bakambu’s curler from the edge of the area .
Both teams upped their tempo with a more aggressive approach, with DR Congo looking the most likely side to score. Following an ambitious 40-yarder from Arthur Masuaku, it was the Boyz who hit a purple patch.
Bailey kept overshooting his corners, obviously not taking into account that the ball travels further at an altitude of over 1,500 metres. Palmer appealed in vain for a spot-kick and Tyreese Campbell sent in a teasing cross that was just out of reach of Bailey.
The contest slowed down, with the teams lacking bite and appearing to conserve their energy for extra-time. Speid sent on Renaldo Cephas and Mason-Clark for Tye-Bailey Cadamarteri and Campbell with just over quarter-of-an-hour remaining.
DR Congo substitutes Theo Bongonda and Edo Kayembe wasted scoring opportunities, but this danger unsettled Speid to such an extent that he withdrew Decordova-Reid and Isaac Hayden with debutant Tyrese Hall and Ian Fray arriving on 83 minutes.
Within 90 seconds of Jamaica’s latest double substitution, Bakambu thought he had scored the winner only for the another VAR review to rule out the hot-shot’s effort.
A vastly improved display was required by Jamaica to overcome DR Congo during extra-time, with Speid sending on Norman Campbell to try and cause some damage upfront.
With the sides remarkably still sizing each other up, a teasing corner came off Bakambu’s back and hit the thigh of Tuanzebe before crossing the line on 100 minutes.
There was another lengthy wait because of a VAR review for DR Congo boss Sebastien Desabre, fuming on the sidelines, and his troops before what proved to be the decisive strike was awarded.
Although the Boyz tried to snatch an equaliser, a long-range drive from Bailey who spotted M’Pasi off his line came to nothing.
More drama unfolded with the referee getting injured on 111 minutes, who finally left the pitch in tears at being forced to be replaced.
The last-gasp stoppage time saw all DR Congo eager to double their tally. Substitute Joris Kayembe thumped his effort over the crossbar when he should have scored, and Blake made a heroic double save even though both efforts would have been struck off for offside.
While it is back to the drawing board for the Jamaica Football Federation, who only signed former Cavalier SC manager Speid until the end of March, DR Congo have reached the lucrative World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
DR Congo competed in the FIFA World Cup once before, when they were named Zaire. Their participation at West Germany 1974 was shrouded in controversy.
The prize for toppling the Boyz, on top of players pocketing a hefty bonus, is that DR Congo will progress to the 2026 World Cup finals to join Colombia, Portugal and Uzbekistan for group games.
Caribbean football fans have Curacao, Haiti and Panama to follow at this summer’s showpiece tournament. With Jamaica having failed to successfully tackle their past seven World Cup qualifying campaigns.
JAMAICA: Blake – Webster (Bell, 90), Pinnock, King, Latibeaudiere – Palmer (N.Campbell, 91), Hayden (Fray, 83) – T.Campbell (Mason-Clark, 74), De Cordova-Reid (Hall, 83), Bailey – Cadamarteri (Cephas, 74). Subs: Brooks, Knight, Merrick, D.Lowe, J.Lowe, Cephas, Waite
FRIENDLIES INVOLVING CONCACAF TEAMS
Australia 5 Curacao 1
Iran 5 Costa Rica 0
South Africa 1 Panama 2
Haiti 1 Iceland 1
Peru 2 Honduras 2
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