Democratic Republic of Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre praised his squad after their crucial victory over Nigeria. The win came in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoffs final in Rabat on Sunday.
The Leopards secured a narrow triumph to halt Nigeria’s World Cup qualification bid. This marks their path back to the global tournament after a 50-year absence since 1974.
Desabre Hails Team Spirit
Desabre expressed immense pride in his players’ composure. They refused to panic after conceding an early goal in the decisive match.
“Falling behind 1-0 early was challenging,” Desabre told reporters. “But our team spirit remained unshaken. We focused on controlling the game.”
Acknowledging Nigeria’s Effort
The coach recognized Nigeria’s strong performance in the tightly contested match. He admitted the margin between victory and defeat was extremely slim.
“Nigeria deserves congratulations too,” Desabre emphasized. “The match could have gone either way. Ultimately, I believe we earned this victory.”
March Showdown Awaits
Attention now turns to DR Congo’s final qualifying test. The Leopards will face Mexico next March to secure their World Cup spot.
About the Author
