The Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo wrote a new page in their history during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers by beating the Hawks of Togo by a narrow score of 1-0. This match, which took place at the Stade des Martyrs, was marked by the efficiency of the Congolese players and their ability to resist the attacks of their opponents.
From the start, the Togolese put in place a high press, but it was ultimately the DRC who were able to pull out all the stops. Yoane Wissa brilliantly served Meschack Elia for the opening goal, scoring the decisive goal after only 6 minutes of play. Despite the Hawks’ attempts to react, Dimitry Bertaud, the Montpellier goalkeeper, shone by repelling several opposing attacks.
In the second half, the DRC could have widened the gap with a great opportunity from Samuel Essende, whose header grazed the Togolese crossbar. Despite a slight strong period from the Togolese at the end of the match, the Leopards held on to preserve their lead and win a crucial victory in the race to qualify for the World Cup.
This success, although narrow, offers the DRC a great opportunity to continue its momentum in these qualifiers. With 7 points on the clock after 4 matches, the Leopards can legitimately have ambitions for the rest of the competition. This victory, obtained in difficulty, testifies to the strength of character and talent of this Congolese team, under the leadership of coach Sébastien Desabre.
During this international break phase, the players can savor this success before returning to their respective clubs for the rest of the season. With a record of 1 win, 1 draw and 4 points out of a possible 6, the Leopards can look to the future with optimism and determination. The road to the World Cup is still long, but the victory against Togo shows that the DRC has the weapons to go far in this competition.
Ultimately, this victory will remain etched in the memories of Congolese fans as a highlight of this qualifying campaign. The Leopards have shown that they have the resources necessary to rise to the top of African football and perhaps dream of a great world adventure in 2026. To be followed closely.