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World Cup: Emotional and mental strength keep DR Congo going in roller-coaster ride
DR Congo's Yoane Wissa scores against Portugal in their Group K 2026 Fifa World Cup match at Houston Stadium in Houston, Texas on June 17, 2026.
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The Democratic Republic of Congo’s coach, Frenchman Sebastian Desabre, has praised his players for their never-say-die attitude that has brought them this far in the Fifa World Cup.
Yoane Wissa scored DR Congo’s first goal in a World Cup as the Leopards held fancied Portugal to a 1-1 draw in a Group K match at Houston Stadium in Texas on Wednesday.
Earlier, Joao Neves had headed pre-match favourites Portugal into the lead six minutes into the game before English Premier League side forward Wissa restored parity late into the first half, also with a header.
“We have great mental strength. My players know how to fight back. They know how to react when things are tough,” the much-travelled Desabre said after the match.
Desabre’s words are a subtle reminder of the challenges his team has overcome to play in the Fifa World Cup for the first time in 52 years since making their debut in the tournament in 1974 when the country was still known as Zaire.
On May 5, 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo registered its most recent Ebola outbreak in north-eastern Ituri province. Days later, the Congolese government cancelled a planned three-day trip to Kinshasa for a celebratory send-off.
USA then announced that individuals with recent travel to countries affected by the outbreak isolate for 21 days or risk being denied entry to USA.
DR Congo players celebrate their goal against Portugal in their Group K 2026 Fifa World Cup match at Houston Stadium in Houston, Texas on June 17, 2026.
That forced the team to relocate its training camp from Kinshasa to Belgium ahead of the Fifa World Cup . The team travelled from Belgium to Paris, from where the squad flew to their World Cup base in Houston.
The Democratic Republic of Congo also endured a torturous and roller-coaster qualification process to the Fifa World Cup. With only winners guaranteed automatic qualification, DR Congo finished second behind Senegal in Group ‘B’ of the African qualifiers and were pushed to the African play-offs.
They beat their more illustrious opponents Cameroon 1-0 in the semi-finals of the African play-offs with a dramatic stoppage-time goal from captain Chancel Mbemba.
DR Congo conceded in the third minute in their final play-off against Nigeria but equalised via Meschak Elia Lina in the 32nd minute. The match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes before the resilient Congolese prevailed 4-3 on post-match penalty kicks.
Fighting spirit
But that only put the Leopards through to Inter-Confederation play-offs held in Mexico. In the final against Jamaica, Axel Tiuanzebe popped up with a goal deep in extra time, in the 101st minute, to secure 1-0 win for DR Congo against the Reggea Boys. That sealed the team’s place at the World Cup
On Wednesday, the rugged Central Africans contained the star-studded Portuguese side featuring legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, who is making his sixth appearance at the World Cup, much to the delight of scores of Leopards fans at the stadium.
“We have 26 players and have great teamwork,” Desabre, who has vast experience in African football, said about his team.
DR Congo’s other appearance at this level was in 1974. As Africa’s sole representatives, they lost all three group matches, conceding 14 goals against none scored. Now they have exhibited remarkable fighting spirit in again qualifying for the global championship.
“Like against Nigeria, we have shown our mentality,” said the 49-year-old Desabre, who has coached Uganda Cranes and nine different elite clubs in Africa.
DR Congo fans in the stands celebrate their team's goal against Portugal in their Group K 2026 Fifa World Cup match at Houston Stadium in Houston, Texas on June 17, 2026.
“We prepared well. We focused on the match. It is a step forward for us. We will digest it all and then prepare for our next game against Colombia.”
DR Congo were the second African country to secure a win in their opening match here after Cote d’Ivoire edged out Ecuador 1-0 in a Group “E” encounter on June 14 in Philadelphia.
Ghana did Africa’s course no damage when they pipped Panama 1-0 in an entertaining Group “L” tie in Toronto on Wednesday.
Many coaches at the World Cup have suggested that earning three points all but assures a team passage to the round of 32.
Morocco, Cape Verde and Egypt drew against difficult opponents while Algeria, Tunisia and Senegal lost their opening matches.
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