DRC holds Portugal in historic World Cup return

by JEAN KASSONGO
KINSHASA, (CAJ News) – THE Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has marked a historic return to the World Cup with a credible one-all draw against pre-tournament favourites Portugal.

The two sides met in a lukewarm Group K fixture at Houston Stadium on Wednesday.

The DRC, which last participated as Zaire in 1974 in what was then West Germany, takes leadership of the group on alphabetical order ahead of the match between Colombia and Uzbekistan in Mexico City on Thursday morning.

In Houston, the African side fielded a defence-minded 5-3-2 formation deployed by Sébastien Desabre against the star-studded Portuguese side.

However, they suffered an early setback after falling behind to a sixth-minute goal headed in by Joao Neves.

They nonetheless kept their shape to deny Cristiano Ronaldo and company the opportunity to extend their lead.

The Leopards clawed their way back into the game as England-based striker Yoane Wissa headed in before the half-time whistle.

The celebrations were befitting of a team marking its return to the tournament after 50 years.

The match was historic in that the DRC registered its first-ever point at the world’s biggest football showcase.

By holding the Portuguese to a draw, the Central Africans will be encouraged by their prospects against Colombia and Uzbekistan.

Their last outing was disastrous, ending in an aggregate defeat of 14-0 across their three matches.

The DRC’s last major success was winning the Africa Cup of Nations, also in 1974.

– CAJ News