DR Congo reached the play-off phase of African World Cup qualifying when beating Benin 2-0 yesterday in Kinshasa.
Bidding to reach a first World Cup since 1974, the Congolese took an early lead through a Dieumerci Mbokani penalty before Ben Malango sealed the win when heading home from close range after 74 minutes.
Captain Mbokani, 35, has belied his veteran status in this qualifying campaign with four goals in six games.
The victory enabled the Congolese to leapfrog their opponents at the top of Group J on the sixth and final round of games.
DR Congo takes the fifth of ten places available in the play-offs, with Egypt, Mali, Morocco and Senegal having also booked their berth in the third and final qualifying round.
Africa’s five World Cup representatives will be decided when the two-legged play-offs take place in March.
The Congolese finished the group with 11 points, one more than Benin, while Tanzania recorded eight and Madagascar four.
Also yesterday, Madagascar drew 1-1 at home to Tanzania as both sides also finished their Group J campaign.
Simon Msuva gave the visitors the lead as he slid home left-footed after 25 minutes, with Hakim Abdalah leveling for the Malagasy as he registered his first goal of the campaign when firing past a packed defence.
Madagascar were reduced to ten men shortly after as Pascal Razakanantenaina received a second yellow, with Tanzania unlucky not to grab all three points when hitting the crossbar from the resulting free-kick.
Both Senegal and Congo also conclude their second-round campaigns as the Teranga Lions, who have already reached the play-offs and who will be without the injured Sadio Mane, look to retain their unbeaten run in Group H.
In the Moroccan city Agadir, Mali ensured they finished their Group E campaign unbeaten when beating Uganda 1-0.
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