Yoane Wissa finally received a burst of positive news on Sunday night, the kind of boost he desperately needed after months of frustration. As December begins, Newcastle United supporters may also feel like an early Christmas gift is on the way, because the Congolese forward is getting closer to making his long-awaited debut at St James’ Park.
Since signing on deadline day in August, Wissa has been stuck on the sidelines due to a knee injury he picked up almost immediately while on international duty. It was a cruel setback for a player who arrived with excitement and a lot of expectation, but now he is edging toward the moment supporters have been waiting for.
When Wissa finally steps onto the pitch for Newcastle, he will do so with the pressure of knowing that the next few months could shape the direction of his entire career.
He has missed a large chunk of the season already, and the team is now moving into the part of the campaign where performances and results matter even more.
But the latest international break added a new twist to his story, one that could influence not only his role at Newcastle but also his international future over the next eight months.
While Wissa was unavailable due to injury, his DR Congo teammates produced a remarkable upset to reach the final stage of World Cup qualification through the inter-confederation play-offs.
It is a huge achievement for the Leopards and one that keeps their World Cup dream alive. They faced Nigeria in a dramatic showdown on Sunday night, entering the match as underdogs, even after beating Cameroon in their previous play-off thanks to a stoppage-time strike from former Newcastle defender Chancel Mbemba.
The match started poorly for DR Congo, as Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka put Nigeria ahead inside the first three minutes. The early blow could have crushed them, but they responded with determination.
Meschak Elia equalised after half an hour, giving the Leopards renewed belief going into half-time. The second half brought more tension, with Nigeria withdrawing star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, yet neither side could find a winner.
Penalties were needed to settle the tie, and the shootout quickly became a rollercoaster. Both teams missed twice in their first three attempts, before it moved to sudden death at 3-3. Ultimately, Hull City’s Semi Ajayi missed for Nigeria, and Mbemba stepped up once again, scoring the winning penalty to send DR Congo through in dramatic fashion.
This victory puts DR Congo into the inter-confederation play-offs, where they will compete with other nations such as Bolivia and New Caledonia for one of the final World Cup places.
It also raises an important question for Wissa and Newcastle United. With AFCON just around the corner and the World Cup play-offs scheduled for next year, the next steps must be considered carefully.
After finishing fourth at the previous African Cup of Nations, DR Congo expect to challenge again, and Wissa would normally be central to their hopes. However, this season has been unusual for him.
He has missed months of football, and Newcastle have reportedly been in talks with his national team about possibly protecting the player. Given his recent injury and the crucial World Cup qualifiers ahead, DR Congo may consider taking a cautious approach. They could decide to rest him during AFCON, prioritising his long-term fitness rather than risking a setback.
For Wissa, the decision is not simple. In the summer he spoke passionately about wanting to play Champions League football, a dream that helped motivate his move to Newcastle.
With fixtures against Bayer Leverkusen and PSV lining up around the same period as AFCON, he knows that staying with the club could help him re-establish rhythm and show why Newcastle trusted him.
On the other hand, representing his country remains a source of deep pride. Helping DR Congo fight for their first AFCON title since 1974 would be a historic opportunity and one that only comes around every few years.
The next few weeks will shape the direction he chooses. He must decide whether to chase continental glory with his nation or commit to a full recovery in the North East so that he can hit top form for Newcastle in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Whatever he chooses, the events of Sunday night have added even more weight to his decision. As his return draws closer, both club and country are waiting to see which path he will take one that could define the next chapter of his footballing journey.
