The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) players arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on Thursday, dressed in tuxedo suits and leopard-print sashes, a nod to the La Sape fashion movement from Kinshasa in the 1970s. Local volunteers cheered them, marking a wholesome welcome for a team returning to the World Cup after 52 years.
A Long-Awaited Return
The DRC's last World Cup appearance was in 1974, when the nation competed as Zaire. This return has been complicated by an Ebola outbreak in their homeland and a 21-day quarantine imposed by U.S. authorities. The team formed a bubble in Belgium, playing a friendly against Denmark and canceling a scheduled match with Chile in Cádiz. Despite these challenges, they experienced few entry difficulties, unlike Senegal and Uzbekistan, and were warmly received by Houston.
Training and Community Support
The team is based in Houston, training at SaberCats Stadium in the city's south. On Friday, about 70 members of the local Congolese expat community watched the training session, joined by children for photos. DRC Ambassador to the U.S., Kapinga Yvette Ngandu, participated in a welcome ceremony. Coach Sébastien Desabre emphasized adaptation, saying, "We're focused on our work, we're professionals, and sometimes the way is not easy."
Jonathan, a Congolese expat who left the DRC 17 years ago, expressed hope: "We always dreamed of this. A lot of people have been waiting a long time, but we never gave up." He plans to attend the match despite high ticket prices.
Facing Tough Opposition
The DRC's first match is against Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday, a daunting challenge. However, the team's pride in representing their country outweighs the stature of their opponents. A win against Colombia or Uzbekistan could see them progress from Group K, potentially facing England in the last 32. Desabre believes an African World Cup winner is "just a question of time."
Avoiding 1974's Mistakes
The team is determined not to repeat 1974, when Zaire finished with a goal difference of -14 and was mocked for a bizarre incident against Brazil. Desabre said, "We prepared well and now we want to be well represented in this group. After 52 years, it's really a pride, a pleasure." The DRC squad includes experienced players like Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Chancel Mbemba.
Jonathan summed up the spirit: "We have resilience and we really have faith." With their stylish arrival and heartfelt welcome, the DRC has already made an impression.
