⚽️ SOCCER WORLD CUP 2026 QUALIFICATION - RDC VS NIGERIA ⚽️

🇨🇩 RDC VS SENEGAL 🇸🇳

The match against Senegal was a complete disaster!!!

We were top of Group B, so all we needed was a draw or, even better, a win.

Unfortunately, it was a disaster...

In the first half, the DRC was winning 2-0. Overconfident and arrogant, Senegal turned the game around and surprised us at the end with a final score of 2-3.

For this match, the DRC hosted Senegal at Stade des Martyrs (formerly the third largest stadium in Africa). With the heavy defeat, five minutes before the end of the match, chaos ensued. The fans couldn't control their emotions and destroyed the stadium! The shame of losing was compounded by the shame of our people, which I condemn because soccer is about fair play, which means you must be courteous enough to respect your opponent and accept defeat, which was not the case at all.

Martyrs Stadium after encounter DRC-SENEGAL

☝️ So in the end, we had to go to the playoffs and we will have the opportunity to meet Senegal again during the Africa Cup of Nations, which will take place next December.

🇨🇩 RDC VS CAMEROON 🇨🇲

No one except us Congolese and some Moroccans believed in this victory.

For this first playoff, we fought hard to snatch victory from the feet of the “Indomptable Lions.”

All this thanks to our El Capo captain wearing number 22, “Chancel Mbemba.” For his 100th selection in the national team, he scored a decisive goal! Magnificently incredible!

As you know, we won 1-0 against Cameroon, that great soccer nation eight-time World Cup participants that has been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup. Ah it is no more the old cameroon with Samuel Eto and else...

Chancel Mbemba

Ah, thank you, my namesake. Indeed, he has the same first name as me; my name is Chancelle and his is Chancel. I'm so proud to share this. Now he just has to sign his jersey and send it to me. 😇

Just kidding; Cameroon was eliminated in the 92nd minute, which is the age of their President Paul Biya. 🤣

🇨🇩 RDC VS NIGERIA 🇳🇬

It was a very tense match. Right from the start, we conceded a goal in the third minute.

I was so disappointed that I almost stopped watching the match, but I still believed in us despite everything.

We were definitely not the favorites, as evidenced by referee Jalal Jayed, who didn't call many fouls in favor of the DRC.

Despite everything, we managed to equalize 1-1 thanks to Meschak Elia in the 32nd minute. At that point, we were all happy and our hopes were raised again, even though some of us weren't even watching the game for fear of immense disappointment.

The match continued with mixed play and was fairly even between the two teams until the end of extra time.

When it came to penalties, we ended up ahead and it was decided by Chancel Mbemba's penalty kick.

Ahhh, what a match! Sorry for Nigeria, which is also a great soccer nation, but there had to be a winner and it was us.

I am extremely happy 😇

Conclusion

The DRC was the first black African team to qualify for the World Cup. At the time, the DRC was called Zaire and qualified in 1974 in West Germany.

The first African team to qualify for the World Cup was Egypt in 1934.

For the rest of the tournament, the next stage is the final of the intercontinental playoff tournament in March 2026, which will pit the winner of the match between Jamaica and New Caledonia against each other.

If I'm not mistaken, it's been more than 52 years since we last qualified and were able to return to participate in this major international competition. Now: we deserve it!

In short, I strongly believe that we will win our future playoffs and that we will go to the World Cup in the USA. 💪