‘We have earned being here’ – DR Congo coach speaks ahead World Cup playoff
SKAiF NewsNG SNN
By Ayobami Okerinde
Coach of the DR Congo national football team, Sebastien Desabre, has insisted that his side deserve their place in the final stage of the FIFA World Cup play-off tournament after a long qualifying journey.
Desabre spoke ahead of the decisive playoff match that could see the Congolese side book a place at the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America.
Speaking with FIFA, he said, “We’re really fired up. We’re still on course to meet our main objective.
“That’s the goal we set ourselves when I took this job three and a half years ago. This final will be our 13th match since our qualifying campaign began. It has been a long road and we have worked our way through every stage.”
He also maintained that his players have earned their place through years of work and resilience, highlighting his team’s defensive discipline as a key factor in their campaign, noting that DR Congo have conceded just one goal in their last four qualifying matches.
“I can’t point to just one moment in the journey,” he said.
“It’s about everything we’ve been through together – the highs and the lows. Those experiences have made us stronger and more resilient, and they’ve led us to this point. After all the hard work the players and the staff have put in over the last three years, they’ve thoroughly earned it.
“Defensive solidity is the bedrock of our side, but our attacking numbers have also been good in recent matches. In Congo DR, we’re lucky enough to have talented players who ply their trade at top clubs. Above all, everyone has really bought into the project we’ve been building together.”
DR Congo will face either Jamaica national football team or New Caledonia national football team for a place at the World Cup. However, Desabre insisted his side fears no opponent.
“We’re not afraid of anyone. We will give it our all,” he said.
“As a minimum, we must replicate the performance we delivered against Nigeria.”
Desabre also added that qualification would be a reward for the work done since he took charge of the team three years ago.
He said, “It would be recognition for all the hard work put in by everyone: my coaching staff, the players and myself. When I took the reins three and a half years ago, the team had hit a rough patch, but I believed in them straight away, even when few others did.
“Now we have the chance to reach the World Cup. We’re within touching distance of our aim, we’re brimming with confidence and this team has real mental toughness, but, right now, we can’t take anything for granted.”
The Congolese side advanced to the playoff after defeating the Nigeria national football team on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in their previous encounter.
However, the result has not been without controversy, as Nigeria has since filed a petition to FIFA questioning the eligibility of some Congolese players who featured in the match.
The petition, filed on December 15, 2025, urged FIFA to investigate the circumstances surrounding the players’ clearance and consider possible sanctions, including the potential disqualification of DR Congo from the qualification process.
According to the document made public by journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, the Nigeria Football Federation listed a number of foreign-born players who featured against the Nigeria national football team in the match. They included Lionel Mpasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Samuel Moutoussamy, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Noah Sadiki, Nathanaël Mbuku and Cédric Bakambu in the starting line-up, as well as substitutes Timothy Fayulu, Matthieu Epolo, Joris Kayembe, Edo Kayembe, Steve Kapuadi, Gédéon Kalulu, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens.
DR Congo has since dismissed the allegations and accused Nigeria of attempting to overturn the CAF play-off result through administrative means.
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