The clash between the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Lions of Teranga of Senegal in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers has kept football fans across the African continent in suspense. This face-to-face was much more than a simple confrontation of two teams, it was the scene of an intense fight where determination and strategy took over.
From the kick-off, the Teranga Lions showed their determination to take the lead, putting constant pressure on the DRC Leopards. Despite the resistance of the Congolese, it was finally at the very end of the first half that the Senegalese opened the scoring, thus rewarding their domination on the field.
However, returning from the locker room marked a turning point in the match. The Leopards, under the leadership of their coach Sébastien Desabre, made tactical changes which breathed new life into their game. The entry of Edo Kayembe notably made it possible to stabilize the midfield, thus offering opportunities to return to the score.
And it was Fiston Mayele, who came on in the second half, who finally rewarded the Leopards’ efforts by equalizing five minutes from the final whistle. An equalizer which aroused admiration and relief among the Congolese supporters, who saw their players fight until the end to win this precious point.
Beyond the result, this meeting between the DRC and Senegal was the reflection of a fierce competition to win a place for the 2026 World Cup. The words of Aliou Cissé, the Senegalese coach, underline the intensity of the battle and the need for each team to surpass themselves to achieve this ultimate objective.
The rest of the qualifiers therefore promise to be exciting for the Leopards of the DRC, who will have to capitalize on this good result to calmly face the next challenges. The meeting is made in Kinshasa, where the supporters are impatiently awaiting the reception of the Togo Sparrowhawks. This meeting promises to be rich in emotions and twists and turns, thus confirming that African football always reserves its share of surprises and exploits.