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It was a memorable return to the World Cup for the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), who held Portugal to 1-1 draw in their first group match in Houston on Wednesday.
At their first appearance at the 1974 tournament in the former West Germany DR Congo, known then as Zaire, lost all their three group games, without scoring a single goal.
But it was a different DR Congo side that faced a Star-studded Portuguese side who are tipped as one of the favourites for this year’s edition.
Yoane Wissa struck Congo’s first goal at a World Cup deep into first-half stoppage time to cancel out an early opening goal from Portugal’s João Neves in the sixth minute.
Also Read: World Cup 2026: DR Congo Will Take Risk Against Portugal –Desabre
Despite being one of the smallest players the pitch, Neves rose highest to nod home Pedro Neto’s cross.
With Portugal looking to go into the break ahead, Wissa drew DR Congo level, jumping to head home Arthur Masuaku’s fine delivery.
In the same game Cristiano Ronaldo joined Lionel Messi as the only men to play in six World Cups and, aged 41 years and 132 days, he became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup game.
But Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure in attack as he struggled to make any meaningful impact despite playing 90 minutes.
DR Congo are the fourth African team who drew their opening fixture at this year’s tournament.
The other African teams who drew their first group ties are Egypt (1-1 with Belgium), Morocco (1-1 with Brazil), and Cape Verde (0-0 with Spain).
By James Agberebi
7 Comments
In a friendly match, in which Portugal did not show their hands, were protecting their players from injury, they still outclassed Nigeria. No sugarcoating it.
Today at The World Cup, Portugal put their best foot forward butThe Democratic Republic of Congo still played them to a standstill.
The NFF is corrupt and incompetent. Too many average coaches. Substandard pitches. All true. But what is even more true is that our players are not that good. The earlier some fans realize this, the better.
The Democratic Republic of Congo deserves to be at this World Cup.
Nigeria Does Not.
Bro, I beg to disagree with you. Are you talking about the same players, no country could beat in regulation time, at AFCON in Morocco. While we need to do something about the ineptitude of NFF, especially the Sec. General who has overseen two World Cup qualification failures, Coach Eric Chelle is on the right path with the team.
I think what should have great concern to us right now is the delay in giving the coach a new contract.
Interesting points, Tony.
The funny thing is that at the Afcon, Algeria beat DRC 1-0, only to fall 2-0 to Nigeria. That game could actually have ended 4 or 5 nil in Nigeria’s favour, with better finishing.
I think the Unity Cup squad would have given Portugal a much harder time. Portugal need time and space on the ball, especially in the middle where Bruno Fernandes holds sway, and the trio of Tijani, Nnadi and Yusuf will not give them that. And with guys like Azeez, Akor and Moffi, we can always nick a goal. We just need to Include Osimhen and Lookman in that set up, with the strict understanding that they do not have automatic jerseys. With more friendlies and more time together, that is a team that can make us proud.
But even that team will have the shadow of failure hanging over it like the sword of Damocles, if this current bunch of nitwit incompetent crooks in the Glass House are allowed to continue in office.
Getting them out of office is the topmost priority for now.
Whether na sack ooo, or voting them out ooo, they sha have to vacate that Glass House.
NFF Onigbese out!!!!!!!
In addition to Osimhen and Lookman, I would also add the following to the Unity Cup squad:
1) Bassey
2) Fredericks
3) Fernandez
4) Bruno Onyemaechi
5) Dele Bashiru
6) Onyeka
7) Onyedika
8) Aina
9) Alebiosu
10) Ajayi
11) Zadok Yohanna
I like Iwobi and Ndidi, but at this time, our midfield needs something different. We need more hustle, graft, more fight, and if they can bring that, then they can always be reconsidered. The rest of the squad should be given appropriate send offs, and paid their outstanding bonuses. We appreciate them, but it’s time to move on.
I would really like Victor Boniface to find his feet again! An in-form Boniface is always welcome. He is well advised to leave comedy skits and social media, and focus on football and his physical fitness.
What we expected from him is what Akor is now giving us. If he wakes up and starts doing well, he could be a great asset for us.
Yeeee! I forgot my boy Bewene! That boy is a must in the squad. Young, talented, great energy.
Osayi is good, but too error prone for my liking.
Coming back to Iwobi, I would consider him as a winger. But not a midfield role. We need something different in the midfield going forward.
I have always questioned the clamour for home-based players to be included in the Super Eagles, especially when many of them are yet to demonstrate the quality required at that level. I firmly believe that the national team should be made up of our best and most exposed players, regardless of where they play.
Let’s be realistic. Our home-based players undoubtedly have the potential to become great footballers, but earning a place in the Super Eagles should depend on merit and readiness, not sentiment. To compete at the highest level, players must consistently perform in environments that challenge and develop them, and unfortunately, our domestic league, in its current state, does not provide that platform.
Morocco offers a good example. Despite having a stronger domestic league than Nigeria, they have actively embraced players born and developed abroad. In their recent match with Brazil, every player in the starting XI was born and trained outside Morocco. Many had even represented their countries of birth at youth level before committing to Morocco at senior level.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has followed a similar path. After decades of absence from the World Cup, they built a squad around their diaspora talent and eventually returned to the global stage, even denying Nigeria qualification for the ongoing tournament.
South Africa presents a different case. They have a relatively strong domestic league and a pool of quality home-based players, which has given Coach Hugo Broos a stable foundation to work with. However, what they often lack is a sufficient number of players regularly competing in top foreign leagues. As a result, they have struggled to consistently make an impact at the highest international level.
The point is simple: the Super Eagles should not be a platform for developing players. The senior national team is where a country brings together its very best talents and moulds them into a winning team. Selection should be based on quality, performance, and readiness—not on the desire to accommodate home-based players at all costs.
Good good remarks brothers
Onething is now that countries like cape Verde, Congo drc et all
Are tasting the publicities
And attention The excitement et all even the coaches that are with respective national teams
The fight for the next qualifiers gonna be more difficult bcos those countries will wanna continue participating
Not forgetting few big countries that couldn’t make it e.g nigeria cameroon, abd those small countries will comeback fully ready knowing quite well that they were so close
to making it. e.g Burkinafaso, Gabon Mali comoros , benin republic were not bad as well….