News Focus
- The Leopards mark their first World Cup finals since 1974, when they competed as Zaire
- Squad arrives at George Bush airport wearing elegant tuxedos and leopard-print sashes inspired by 1970s Kinshasa fashion
- Team completes 21-day isolation period in Belgium due to Ebola outbreak concerns before entering the United States
- Opening fixture against Portugal takes place on Wednesday at the tournament
- Approximately 10,000 members of the local Congolese diaspora community gather to support the squad
The Democratic Republic of Congo made a grand entrance at George Bush airport on Thursday. The players wore smart tuxedo suits with leopard-print sashes. This look honours the La Sape fashion movement that became famous in Kinshasa during the 1970s. Local volunteers gave the team a warm reception. The welcome felt special because the squad had faced difficult preparations before travelling.
The Leopards last played at the World Cup 52 years ago. In 1974, they competed under the name Zaire. This long wait has finally ended, though the journey to Houston proved challenging. Health officials in the United States required the team to isolate for three weeks because of an Ebola outbreak back home. The squad stayed in Belgium during this time. They played only one friendly match against Denmark and cancelled another planned game with Chile in Cádiz.
Despite these problems, the team entered the United States without major issues. Officials checked their temperatures when they left the plane. This smooth process differed from reports about problems faced by Senegal and Uzbekistan. The Congolese group will stay in Houston throughout their campaign. They train at SaberCats Stadium in the southern part of the city.
Sébastien Desabre leads the side. The French coach has worked at eleven different clubs across Africa. He now hopes to guide his experienced players through Group K. The squad includes defender Chancel Mbemba, full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and forward Cédric Bakambu. The 35-year-old Bakambu plays for Real Betis and has tried many times before to reach this stage.
About seventy members of the local Congolese community watched training on Friday. One supporter named Jonathan sat in the main stand. He moved from the DRC seventeen years ago and now lives near the stadium. He told reporters that tickets cost too much money, but he still hopes to watch the matches. The Congolese ambassador to the United States, Kapinga Yvette Ngandu, also attended a special ceremony to greet the team.
The coach remains positive despite the disrupted preparation. “We must adapt,” Desabre explained. “We are professionals. The path is not always easy, but we accept this.” He believes an African team will win the World Cup soon. For now, his main target is to advance from Group K. The pool also contains Colombia and Uzbekistan. If the Leopards progress, they might face England in the next round.
The local Congolese population in Houston numbers around ten thousand people. Many cheered “Mbote,” which means welcome in the Lingala language. The team hopes their stylish arrival signals good performances on the pitch. Their first test against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal arrives on Wednesday.