As DR Congo celebrated a historic qualification for the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States, former Yanga SC striker Fiston Mayele also etched his name into the history books.
In the decisive group-stage match against Uzbekistan, where DR Congo needed a victory to secure a place in the knockout rounds, Mayele made his first appearance of the tournament after coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute.
With the score level at 1-1, Mayele wasted little time making an impact. Just minutes after entering the match, he scored DR Congo's second goal to put his side ahead before Yoane Wissa added a third in stoppage time to seal a memorable 3-1 victory and secure qualification.
It was a landmark moment for Mayele, who fulfilled a personal dream while playing a decisive role in helping his country reach the knockout stage for the first time.
After finding the net, Mayele celebrated with his trademark "trembling" goal celebration, delighting DR Congo supporters.
The achievement is also a source of pride for Yanga, where many believe Mayele's remarkable rise to prominence began.
Yanga president Hersi Said was instrumental in bringing the striker from DR Congo to Tanzania when he was still relatively unknown.
At Yanga, Mayele was given the platform to showcase his talent, establishing himself as one of Africa's top forwards before earning a high-profile move to Egyptian club Pyramids FC.
