The Democratic Republic of Congo has secured a long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup, defeating Jamaica’s “Reggae Boyz” 1–0 in a tense play-off final decided in extra time by Axel Tuanzebe.

Tuanzebe, 29, born in eastern DR Congo and now playing for Burnley FC, struck in the 100th minute, reacting quickest at the back post after a poorly cleared set-piece to tap home the decisive goal. His intervention ends a 52-year absence from the global tournament and confirms Les Leopards of the DR Congo’s return to football’s biggest stage.

The country last appeared at the World Cup in 1974 under the name Zaire, where it exited at the group stage following heavy defeats to Brazil, Scotland and Yugoslavia. This latest qualification represents both redemption and renewal.

The match was finely balanced, with DR Congo creating the clearer chances. Cédric Bakambu, of Real Betis, saw an early effort ruled out for offside and later tested Andre Blake, whose outstanding performance kept Jamaica level and forced extra time.

Try as they might, Jamaica could not find a way back. The second half of extra time was disrupted by an injury to referee Facundo Tello, who left the pitch in tears with an apparent calf problem. Despite late pressure, Jamaica were unable to respond.

DR Congo now advances to a challenging group featuring Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia, with their opening match scheduled against Portugal in Houston.

Ranked 48th in the world and 7th in Africa, the Central African nation—home to more than 120 million people—continues to produce top-level football talent. Among them are Claude Makélélé, who starred for Chelsea FC and Real Madrid; Romelu Lukaku, formerly of AC Milan; Trésor LuaLua of Newcastle United; and current internationals Chancel Mbemba, now at LOSC Lille, and Yoane Wissa  at Newcastle.

Axel Tuanzebe, Burnley FC Defender. Picture @Leopards

Speaking after the match, Tuanzebe acknowledged the pressure of the occasion. “We made it a very difficult game for ourselves,” he said. “It was so frustrating, there were some nerves, the pressure got to us a bit. But once we found our rhythm, we were the better team.

“To get the winning goal for the country is something you dream about as a young boy. It has happened for me and I am very happy.”

For DR Congo, the victory caps an 18-month qualification campaign spanning 13 matches. Their return to the World Cup will begin against Portugal, marking the start of a new chapter for a nation re-emerging on football’s global stage.

For Jamaica, the defeat extends their absence from the tournament to nearly three decades, compounded by uncertainty following the departure of former manager Steve McClaren earlier in the campaign.

Ghana has expressed its “sincere appreciation” to UN member states following the adoption of Resolution A/RES/80/250 on 25 March 2026, which formally recognises the International Day for the Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

The resolution was approved by 123 countries in the UN General Assembly, with all 15 members of the United Nations Security Council reportedly voting in favour.

The vote, however, revealed divisions among member states. The United States, Argentina, and Israel voted against the resolution, which explicitly described slavery and the transatlantic slave trade as a “crime against humanity” and called for reparations. All 27 members of the European Union abstained, citing concerns over the language describing slavery as “the gravest crime against humanity.”

Gabriella Michaelidou, the Cypriot deputy UN ambassador whose government currently holds the EU’s six-month presidency, warned that such phrasing could imply “a hierarchy among atrocity crimes,” potentially creating diplomatic sensitivities regarding other human rights violations.

Ghanaian officials framed the adoption as a significant milestone in advancing justice, recognition, and healing for the millions affected by slavery. Discussions following the vote included John Dramani Mahama, emphasising the need for continued dialogue and public awareness around the transatlantic slave trade’s enduring legacy.

Countries-Adopted-the-Rseolution

The resolution further positions Ghana as a leading voice in global governance, highlighting its democratic credentials and influence in shaping international priorities such as sustainable development and global health.

While the resolution’s adoption is expected to strengthen international observance of the remembrance day and promote educational initiatives, the abstentions and opposing votes underscore ongoing debates over historical accountability, reparations, and the framing of atrocities within the UN system.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) recently convened journalists from across Africa and beyond for a webinar to strengthen public understanding, foster trust, and empower the media to play an active role in championing AfCFTA protocols. Titled “From Negotiation to Implementation: Empowering the Media to Champion AfCFTA,” the session focused on bridging the gap between policy formulation and public awareness, highlighting the role of journalists in interpreting and communicating key developments.

Hosted via Zoom by Samuel Agyeman of the AfCFTA media team, the webinar was conducted under the leadership of Cynthia E. Gnassingbe-Essonam, AfCFTA Secretariat serving as Director of Private Sector Engagement & Communications, and Dr. Tsotetsi Makong (PhD), Director of Coordination and Programmes at the Secretariat. The session provided participants with an in-depth overview of the organisation’s ongoing implementation processes, recent organisational changes, and practical insights on AfCFTA protocol execution.

The webinar was designed to familiarize media professionals with both the strategic and operational aspects of AfCFTA, equipping them to report accurately on the agreement’s impact on African economies, businesses, and communities. By engaging journalists in this way, AfCFTA aims to strengthen the connection between policy and public discourse, ensuring media coverage reflects both the opportunities and challenges presented by Africa’s largest trade agreement.