Authorities in the Democratic Republic Congo have declared Wednesday a public holiday after the national football team qualified for their first World Cup in 52 years.
The Leopards reached the finals on Tuesday when Axel Tuanzebe’s extra-time goal gave them a 1-0 win over Jamaica in the play-off.
DR Congo’s ministry of labour and employment said that as a result of the “historic” victory, the nation could have the day off work to “celebrate in unity, fervour and national pride”.
The central African nation has only played in the World Cup once before – in 1974 when the country was named Zaire.
Numerous employers honoured the holiday on Wednesday, with many banks and shops shut throughout the day in the capital, Kinshasa.
However some employers proceeded with the work day as normal as the announcement – made at approximately 08:00 local time (07:00 GMT) – came at such short notice.
Tuesday’s match was an intense affair, with former Manchester United player Tuanzebe only breaking the deadlock in the 100th minute.
Elated football fans celebrated in Kinshasa after the team’s victory was confirmed just before 01:00 local time on Wednesday morning.
One supporter told the BBC: “Whatever we may be feeling at the moment, amidst pain and war and occupation, this victory makes us proud… I feel so emotional and happy.”
DR Congo has been battered by decades of conflict. The fighting escalated early last year when the M23 rebel group captured swathes of territory in the country’s east.
Although neighbouring Rwanda is widely believed to be supporting the M23 and the two countries’ leaders have exchanged bitter insults in recent years, Rwanda’s government has congratulated DR Congo on qualifying.
Deputy government spokesperson Jean Maurice Uwera said in a post on X: “Leopards stepping up for Africa! Congratulations DR Congo, go make the continent proud on the world stage.“
In the Kinshasa neighbourhood of Kingabwa, some fans took to the streets chanting: “Christiano Ronaldo is next”.
DR Congo’s first match will be against Ronaldo’s Portugal in the US city of Houston on 17 June.
They will also play Colombia and Uzbekistan in the group stages.
DR Congo are the 10th African nation to reach this year’s expanded World Cup finals, jointly hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
Born in Bunia, a city hit by the ongoing conflict, Tuanzebe said Tuesday night’s goal was “without a doubt the most important” of his career.
“I’m so grateful to have scored that goal for the team, for the nation. I realise the magnitude of what it represents and the joy it brings to people.”
