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Brilliant news for Yoane Wissa on Sunday night as surprise hero emerges

by Jaspar Shepherdson ·
Brilliant news for Yoane Wissa on Sunday night as surprise hero emerges

The beginning of December should bring about an early Christmas present for us all, as Yoane Wissa gets closer to finally making his debut for Newcastle United.

Since signing on deadline day back in August, the Congolese star was almost immediately injured on international duty, which has ruled him out with a knee injury ever since.

Wissa will need to hit the ground running the very moment he takes to the St James’ Park pitch for the very first time as a Newcastle player, ahead of what will be some of the biggest months of his career.

And after the latest international break, it looks like Wissa could have to focus on more than just his time playing for us over the next eight months…

Wissa moves closer to World Cup dream

DR Congo are through to the final stage of the World Cup qualifying as the African representative of the inter-confederation play-offs after they dramatically defeated Nigeria on penalties.

With Wissa absent for the crucial game, DR Congo were the underdog heading into Sunday night, despite beating Cameroon in their semi-final play off last week as former Mag Chancel Mbemba won it with a 91st minute winner.

It wasn't looking good early on, as the Leopards fell 1-0 behind after Brentford's Frank Onyeka scored after only three minutes. Meschak Elia brought them level just after the half hour mark, however, making it 1-1 at the break.

Nigeria substituted both star players Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman in the second half, and the game was decided by spot kicks.

And after two misses each from the first three taken, it was soon 3-3 after five taken. Hull’s Semi Ajayi failed to convert for the Super Eagles, and that man Mbemba scored the decisive penalty to send DR Congo through once again!


The result means DR Congo have now reached the inter-confederation play-offs, which will see two more teams secure their qualification for the World Cup. So far, only Bolivia and New Caledonia have also qualified for these play-offs.

Could win help Newcastle's AFCON talks?

After a fourth place finish in the last tournament, there may have been some expectation that Wissa would be the main player for DR Congo to help them go even further in this year’s African Cup of Nations, which kicks-off in just over a month’s time.

However, given the amount of games Wissa has missed this season and recent reports hinting that Newcastle and DR Congo may come to an agreement that protects the player, his nation may be wise to protect him over AFCON, allow him to get fully fit and save him for next year's World Cup decider?

Wissa made it very clear in the summer that it was his dream to play Champions League football, where he may be eyeing games against Bayer Leverkusen and PSV either side of AFCON.

So the 29-year-old has a big decision to make. Try to help his country win their first AFCON since 1974,  or stay in the North East with Eddie Howe and the rest of the squad to get his Premier League and Champions League campaigns up and running.

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