By Angu Lesley
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Axel Tuanzebe has described the moment he helped send DR Congo to the 2026 FIFA World Cup as “extraordinary,” after scoring the decisive goal in a historic qualification campaign for the Leopards.
The defender revealed that his participation in the crucial match had been in doubt. “Even leading into that game on the week of it, I wasn’t so sure I was going to be able to play!” he said. “But, I made it and to play a role in the win was an EXTRAORDINARY feeling!”
His goal secured a long-awaited return to the global stage for DR Congo, who had not featured at the World Cup since 1974. Reflecting on the significance of the achievement, Tuanzebe added: “It meant so much to the country, it’s been 52 years since we reached a World Cup and the energy was so special when we returned to Congo.”
Scenes of celebration erupted across the country as the team returned home, with fans turning out in large numbers to welcome their heroes. “The scenes I saw that day is like something you will only see once in a lifetime,” Tuanzebe said, capturing the scale of national pride following the achievement.
The qualification marks a major milestone for DR Congo and underlines the progress made by the national team in recent years. “The journey for us in the national team has been amazing and we’ve built some real momentum going into the World Cup now,” he added.
Tuanzebe, who plays his club football in England, has become a key figure in the Leopards’ resurgence, with his decisive contribution sealing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and igniting hopes of a strong showing on football’s biggest stage.
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