Football, a vector of peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was proven once again during the quarter-final of the peace tournament organized by the notable Valentin Kaneno. It was FC Hopimasi who won the match with a score of two goals to nothing ahead of their eternal rival, AS Masisi. This match took place in difficult conditions, on the sidelines of the quarter-finals of the peace football tournament organized in the country.
Despite the difficulties facing football in this part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the two teams delivered a remarkable performance. During the first quarter of an hour, AS Masisi took control of the match before FC Hopimasi scored the first goal in the 20th minute thanks to Amani Lobilo, on an assist from Blaise Aganze. Both teams were sent to the locker room with a score of 1-0.
Upon returning from the locker room, AS Masisi tried to get back into the game by pressing the accelerator, but without success. In the 66th minute, FC Hopimasi doubled the lead thanks to a goal from Muvunyi Alexis Diamant on an offering from Bingi Lucien. Despite the efforts of both teams to get back into the game, AS Masisi failed to score a single goal.
FC Hopimasi managed to maintain their lead and qualified for the semi-finals of the competition. The semi-finals will see the first and the second from the site based in Masisi against the two teams which will come from the site based in the city of Nyabiondo, on Sunday June 25 in the same facilities of the stadium father Biiri. The final of this tournament will be played on June 30 on this day of celebration of the 63rd anniversary of the independence of the DR Congo.
This football match demonstrates that despite the horrors of war and the lack of reliable infrastructure, football manages to bring a little joy into the lives of people who need it. The organizers succeeded in their bet and offered entertainment accessible to all, which brought together the inhabitants of Masisi around a football match. It is important to continue to develop sports infrastructure in the country in order to give even more opportunities to young people and to allow football to continue to bring a glimmer of hope in the difficult daily life of Congolese.