DR Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre has spoken about the journey that brought his side to the brink of a first World Cup appearance in over 50 years, as Nigeria continue to wait on a FIFA ruling that could yet change everything, Footynaija.com reports.
Desabre has been in charge for three and a half years, guiding the Leopards from 72nd in the FIFA rankings to one match away from ending a 52-year World Cup absence. Their last appearance was in 1974, when the country competed as Zaire.
The play-off final on March 31 at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, against the winner of the Jamaica versus New Caledonia semi-final, is the destination that run has been building towards.
Related Post
Speaking to FIFA ahead of the fixture, per PUNCH Sports Extra, the French tactician was reflective about what it took to get here.
“It’s about everything we’ve been through together, the highs and the lows. Those experiences have made us stronger and more resilient, and they’ve led us to this point. After all the hard work the players and staff have put in over the last three years, they’ve thoroughly earned it,” he said.
His words carry an extra weight in Nigeria. The NFF filed a formal eligibility petition with FIFA on December 15, arguing that DR Congo fielded players whose nationality switch processes were incomplete when they beat the Super Eagles on penalties in Rabat last November.
FIFA has still not issued a ruling, yet its own media arm is already treating the Leopards as Africa’s confirmed representative for the play-offs.
The March 31 fixture is less than two weeks away. Every day that passes without a verdict makes Nigeria’s chances of overturning the result that bit slimmer.
