The DRC strikes hard by winning the football battle against the Panthers of Gabon in a match counting for the qualifiers for the African Cup of Nations (CAN), Côte d’Ivoire 2023. The Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo have demonstrated good intentions in their offensives, despite some technical waste. They managed to take the advantage over the Panthers of Gabon with a header from Aron Tshibola in the 1st half, which gave the DRC hope for a possible qualification for CAN 2023.
Upon returning from the locker room, the Panthers accelerated without succeeding in converting and taking advantage of the mistakes of the Congolese. But the Leopards did not give up and managed to kill the game with a second goal scored by Fiston Kalala in the 83rd minute with a nice shot inside the penalty area. This victory propels the DRC to 4th place, tied on points with Gabon with 7 points each, Sudan being behind with 6 points and Mauritania with 5 points. Everything is still possible for all teams.
In conclusion, this victory for the DRC shows that football is more than a game, it is part of the Congolese identity, especially in Kinshasa. There is a palpable energy in the city, with fans celebrating with fireworks and honking. Sport has the power to bring people together, stir up positive emotions and distract from the harsh realities of everyday life. The DRC needs more moments like this to support its people in their quest for peace and development