Bakambu brace powers DR Congo as Guinea stay alive - Gambia, Malawi spring upsets

Gambia and Malawi pulled off significant away victories on a lively day of CAF 2026 World Cup qualifying on Friday, while DR Congo strengthened their grip on Group B with a 4–1 win and Guinea kept their Group G challenge alive with a professional 3–0 success.

Kenya 1–3 Gambia (Group F)

Gambia stunned Kenya in Nairobi with three first-half goals that changed the shape of Group F. The visitors were in front after 12 minutes when Saidy Sinyan flicked in from a Yankuba Minteh delivery.

Minteh then doubled the lead on 26 minutes, finishing off a swift counter after Musa Barrow’s through-ball split the home back line.

Barrow added a ruthless third on 38 minutes, steering inside the near post to silence the home crowd.

Kenya regrouped after the interval and finally forced a response when Rodgers Ogam converted Sven Yidah Owino’s cross on 81 minutes, but the damage was already done.

The result lifts Gambia to seven points and above Kenya (six), while the top of the pool remains led by Gabon (18) ahead of Côte d’Ivoire (16) with three matches to play.

South Sudan 1–4 DR Congo (Group B)

DR Congo produced a statement away performance to stay in charge of Group B.

Cédric Bakambu set the tone with a brace, turning in Arthur Masuaku Kayembe’s cross on 13 minutes and converting again on 36 minutes to put the Leopards in full control.

Nathanaël Mbuku added a third in first-half stoppage time (45+1’) from Yoane Wissa’s pass.

Wissa got on the scoresheet himself with a low finish on 57 minutes before Kuol Majak pulled one back for South Sudan on 68 minutes.

DR Congo managed the closing stages comfortably, rotating the forward line and preserving energy for the quick turnaround later in the window.

The win moves the Leopards to 16 points, four clear of Senegal (12) and Sudan (12), and keeps qualification in their hands.

Somalia 0–3 Guinea (Group G)

Guinea kept their campaign alive with a controlled victory at a neutral venue.

Serhou Guirassy struck first on 22 minutes, finishing after Amadou Touré’s run opened the defence. 

The Syli National doubled the lead just after the hour when pressure forced an own goal by Farhan Othman (64’), and substitute Oumar Camara added late gloss on 90+6 minutes following Amadou Bangoura’s breakaway.

The clean sheet and three points push Guinea to 10 points, third in Group G behind Algeria (18) and Mozambique (12).

With two rounds to play, Kaba Diawara’s side still have a path—if they maintain this away form and take points from the leaders in the next window.

Namibia 1–2 Malawi (Group H)

Malawi delivered another away upset by edging Namibia to reignite their campaign.

Rabson Mbulu pounced after five minutes to put the Flames ahead and Gabadinho Mhango’s cool finish on 53 minutes doubled the advantage.

Namibia halved the deficit late on when Deon Hotto’s free-kick routine led to Deon Ndeunyema sweeping in on 86 minutes, but Malawi held firm through eight minutes of added time to claim a valuable win.

The defeat dents Namibia’s pursuit of leaders Tunisia (19 points); the Brave Warriors remain on 12, while Liberia and Equatorial Guinea sit on 10 and Malawi move to 9.

With three teams separated by two points beneath Tunisia, the runners-up race is set for a tight finish.

What it means

• Group F: Gambia’s shock in Nairobi reorders the chasing pack behind Gabon and Côte d’Ivoire. Kenya must now take something off one of the top two to revive hopes.

• Group B: DR Congo’s ruthless streak keeps them top and protects a healthy goal difference; their head-to-head with Senegal later in the window looms large.

• Group G: Guinea’s away win trims the gap to Mozambique and keeps pressure on Algeria ahead of a critical closing double-header.

• Group H: Malawi’s scalp of Namibia reshapes the battle for second; Tunisia remain in control but the play-off places could hinge on small margins.

With two matchdays left in this window, momentum has swung for several contenders.

The next set of fixtures—particularly involving group leaders—will determine who carries control into the final international break of the year.