Authorities in the Democratic Republic Congo have declared Wednesday a public holiday after the national football team qualified for their first World Cup in 52 years.
The Leopards reached the finals on Tuesday when Axel Tuanzebe’s extra-time goal gave them a 1-0 win over Jamaica in the play-off.
DR Congo’s ministry of labour and employment said that as a result of the “historic” victory, the nation could have the day off work to “celebrate in unity, fervour and national pride”.
The central African nation has only played in the World Cup once before – in 1974 when the country was named Zaire.
Tuesday’s match was an intense affair, with former Manchester United player Tuanzebe only breaking the deadlock in the 100th minute.
Videos of elated football fans celebrating in the capital, Kinshasa, have been circulating on social media. In the neighbourhood of Kingabwa, supporters took to the streets chanting “Christiano Ronaldo is next”.
DR Congo’s first match will be against Ronaldo’s Portugal in the US city of Houston on 17 June.
They will also play Colombia and Uzbekistan in the group stages.
DR Congo are the 10th African nation to reach this year’s expanded World Cup finals, hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada. (BBC)
