DR Congo Arrives World Cup in Leopard Style
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has officially arrived in Houston, Texas, USA for the World Cup. Following a dramatic play-off victory over Nigeria, the Leopards are making their first tournament appearance in 52 years (since 1974). Their journey included a mandatory 21-day quarantine in Europe due to Ebola concerns.
The squad arrived in the United States on Thursday, June 11, after spending three weeks isolating in Europe (Belgium and France) to comply with US health restrictions regarding an ongoing Ebola outbreak in DR Congo.
The team made major headlines arriving at George Bush Intercontinental Airport wearing striking black and coordinated leopard-print outfits with matching leather luggage bags also on leopards skin.
The Head coach, Sebastien Desabre has named a competitive 26-man roster sturdiest by European-based players, including veterans like 35-year-old striker Cedric Bakambu and Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki.
DR Congo team completed a closed-door training stretch in Europe, which included a 2-1 friendly loss to Chile in Orleans, France. Howbeit, the 26-man squad flew from Paris into the US after fulfilling quarantine requirements in Belgium. They successfully bypassed US Ebola-related entry bans, though the outbreak forced the cancellation of a planned training camp in Kinshasa and a warm-up match in Spain.
The Leopards are placed in Group K and will play their opening matches across the US and Mexico. Below are the their matches fixtures.
June 17: vs. Portugal at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
June 23: vs. Colombia at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico.
June 27: vs. Uzbekistan at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Suffice to note that The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was formally known as Zaire from 1971 to 1997. Prior to that period, it was called the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1964–1971), and earlier, Congo-Léopoldvilleor the Republic of the Congo immediately following its independence from Belgium in 1960.
By Chichi Umeseaka - Universal Television (UTV) Africa
General Manager/ Director News/ Editor in Chief.
