Angu Lesley Ngwa Akonwi
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
As DR Congo prepare for a high-stakes World Cup playoff against Cameroon, one of the country’s most authoritative football voices has delivered a blunt assessment.
Former FECOFA president Constant Omari believes the Leopards may have talent in abundance — but still lack the mentality to compete on football’s biggest stage.
> “We still don’t have a team capable of going to the World Cup,” Omari said. “Against Tunisia, we were leading 2-0 with 15 minutes to go, and it ended 2-2. The same thing happened against Senegal — we led 2-0 and lost 3-2. That tells you everything about our lack of control.”
It’s a harsh but timely reminder. DR Congo face Cameroon in the CAF World Cup playoffs — a clash that pits one of Africa’s most unpredictable teams against one of its most mentally unshakeable.
Cameroon: The Benchmark of Mental Strength
Few African nations embody resilience like Cameroon. From the iconic days of Samuel Eto’o to Karl Toko Ekambi’s dramatic late goal in Blida that sealed qualification for Qatar 2022, the Indomitable Lions have built a legacy of rising when the pressure peaks.
Omari points to that mindset as the key difference. “Going to the World Cup means having a balanced team in every department — one capable of managing both physical and psychological effort until the final whistle,” he said.
DR Congo’s own path under French coach Sébastien Desabre has shown glimpses of progress. A run to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals restored belief, and new talents such as Yoane Wissa, Gaël Kakuta and Chancel Mbemba give the team a strong spine. But for Omari, that isn’t enough — not yet.
Learning Before Dreaming
The former CAF vice-president insists that before dreaming of a World Cup berth, the Leopards must learn the art of consistency.
“It’s not about qualifying for the sake of it,” Omari added. “It’s about being ready to perform, to compete, to last 90 minutes and beyond. That’s what separates the great teams.”
For the Bukavu-born football executive, the solution lies in long-term planning — developing mental discipline, building team chemistry, and earning experience against elite opposition.
What’s Next?
DR Congo will face Cameroon in the CAF World Cup Playoffs, with Morocco set to host the semi-finals and finals in November. The winner will advance to the inter-confederation playoffs — one final hurdle before reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Cameroon, veterans of eight World Cups, enter as favourites. But for DR Congo, the tie offers a chance to prove Omari wrong — and to show that the lessons of the past can finally harden a team still chasing its place among the world’s best.
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