
Potential peace and World Cup spot spark hope for DR Congo – DW – 07/10/2025
These are busy times for football in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The women's team are playing in the African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the first time since 2012 while the men are currently top of their qualification group for the 2026 World Cup, putting them on course for a first appearance on the global stage since 1974.
Off the pitch, there is also encouraging news. If a peace deal that was signed in June between the country and neighboring Rwanda holds, the sport could reach new levels.
The eastern region of the 11th biggest country in the world has been dogged by violence for the past 30 years, which has, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, resulted in the deaths of approximately six million people. Fighting escalated earlier this year as M23, a rebel paramilitary group that, according to the Congo and the United Nations, is backed by Rwanda, made inroads against the Congolese army.
Details of the peace plan, brokered by the United States, may be currently vague with concerns over whether it can hold and the low levels of trust between the two parties, but the prospect of stability is a welcome one.
"Congo is one of the most mineral-rich countries in the world," Murithi Mutiga, Africa Program Director at the International Crisis Group, told DW.
"One hopes that eventually this [peace deal] will be implemented and with luck and also concerted diplomatic efforts, that Congo may reach its potential."
If the fighting stops, football can continue all over the country.
"In terms of the national game, a peace deal needs to be sorted because a number of the clubs that are based in the east of the country have not been able to play as a result of the recent conflict and invasion," Guy Burton, an international research analyst on conflict and peace, told DW.
"Ultimately for the game to flourish, you need to have stability, you need to have peace. When war is happening, the priority is just to survive."
Peace is just a start.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
"Provided it is followed by concrete and sustainable implementation, the state and investors can better finance the rehabilitation of stadiums, community fields, and training centers," Francisco Mulonga, president of football club Sporting Club de Kinshasa, told DW. "Regions formerly at war could finally benefit from real sports facilities."
Greater opportunities in cities such as Goma, which lies near the border with Rwanda, would give young men a choice and a brighter future that involves kicking a ball and not picking up a gun or getting involved in crime.
"Football can really help young men turn away from violence and adopt a healthier lifestyle through sport, especially in contexts marked by poverty, idleness, or social tensions," Mulonga added.
"Playing football fosters the creation of strong social bonds between young people from different backgrounds. Football is a model of hope and ambition."
Reaching the 2026 World Cup could be a game-changer. Even amid instability at home, DR Congo is top of its qualification group, with Senegal and Sudan close behind and just four games remaining. DR Congo faces those two teams on home soil later this year in what should be decisive clashes.
"If the men's team qualifies, people will look more at Congo, to come and invest and help the kids," Ricardo Eluka, founder of Espoir Football Academy in Kinshasa, which he set up to help young people fulfil their dreams, told DW.
There is enough natural ability in the country to shine and join continental teams that often appear at the big tournaments.
"Congo has the same level of talent as the Nigerian team, Ghana and Senegal. We have these kinds of players but we don't have the money to come and invest," said Eluka. "If we had more money coming, football in Congo would be huge."
More investment at grassroots, in facilities and in the clubs would help the country produce more players such as Chancel Mbemba who has appeared almost 100 times for the national team and played at prestigious European clubs such as Newcastle United, Porto and Marseille, as well as forward Cedric Bakambu.
"Qualification for the World Cup would have a very positive and structuring impact on Congolese football on several levels: sporting, economic, social, and even political,' said Mulonga.
"The DRC would benefit from global visibility, which could improve its diplomatic, cultural, and economic image. It could also facilitate the export of Congolese players to top-tier foreign clubs."
The women have longer to go, however, and were eliminated from the WAFCON with a game left to play. Here the natural resources are just as great but the infrastructure and support, according to national team captain Fideline N'goy, is lacking.
"There is great talent and a desire among young girls to play the sport, but there is no decent coaching to develop their talents: no training centers, no fields, and no projects from the federation," N'goy told DW.
The goalkeeper contrasts the situation with Cameroon and Morocco where, she says, FIFA prize money goes back into the women's game and South Africa where the women are paid almost as much as the men.
"In our country, the winners of the women's championship earn US $10,000 (€8500), while the men's earn US$150,000."
It may be left for the women to do it themselves, to achieve international success in order to help those back at home.
"If the women play well, we will have more female students," Eluka said. "The problem in Congo, there is no investment made, no facilities for the ladies to practice and get better."
It remains to be seen how the men getting to the World Cup would help the women's game but it would certainly be celebrated in a country that has not had much to celebrate in recent years.
"Football is almost a national religion in Congo," said Mitiga. "If it qualifies for the World Cup as it seems well-poised to do, it will really energize and electrify the nation and it will bring people together."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


DW
13 hours ago
- DW
Oldest marathon runner, Fauja Singh, dies in hit-and-run – DW – 07/16/2025
Fauja Singh, believed to be he first centenarian to complete a full marathon, has died aged 114 after being hit by a car, media say. He began competitive running at 89 as a way to beat grief-induced depression. Fauja Singh, a British Indian-born athlete believed to be the world's oldest marathon runner, has died at the age of 114 after being hit by a car in his native village in Punjab, media reports say. Singh, who claimed to be born in 1911, came to fame when he completed the 42.2 km (26.2 mile) Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2011, becoming the first 100-year-old to finish such an event. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video "My 'Turbaned Tornado' is no more," Singh's biographer Khushwant Singh wrote in a post on the platform X on Monday. "He was struck by an unidentified vehicle around 3:30 PM today in his village, [Beas Pind], while crossing the road. Rest in peace, my dear Fauja," Singh wrote. Beas Pind lies near the city of Jalandhar in western Punjab state. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also posted condolences on X, saying: "He was an exceptional athlete with incredible determination. Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and countless admirers around the world." Police told local media that they were trying to identify the vehicle. Fauja Singh reportedly sustained severe head injuries in the accident, of which he later died in hospital. Singh took up running marathons at the age of 89 in a bid to ward off the grief caused by the deaths of his wife and a son in quick succession in India. Following the deaths, he went to live in London with his youngest son, where he participated in athletic events organized by the Sikh community before deciding that marathons were his thing. In 2000 he ran the London Marathon, his first, and went on to do eight more. His best time was in Toronto in 2003, where he clocked 5 hours and 40 minutes. He ran his last competitive race in 2013 at the age of 101, finishing the Hong Kong Marathon's 10-kilometer (6.25-mile) race in 1 hour, 32 minutes, 28 seconds. A year prior to that, he was a torchbearer for the 2012 London Olympics. Singh's feat of completing the 2011 Toronto marathon at 100 was not recognized by the Guinness Book of Records because he had no birth certificate to prove his age, though his British passport showed his date of birth as April 1, 1911. Indian government officials have stated in a letter that India did not keep birth records back in 1911. Following his retirement from racing, Singh said he hoped "people will remember me and not forget me." He said he also wanted people to continue to invite him to events "rather than forget me altogether just because I don't run anymore."


DW
a day ago
- DW
WAFCON is thrilling fans but faces familiar problems – DW – 07/15/2025
A year later than planned, the Women's Africa Cup of Nations is taking place in Morocco. The star players are impressing fans, but the familiar problems remain. The rescheduled women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is underway in Morocco, a year later than planned. The tournament sees some of the best players in the world fighting for glory, but as players and nations emerge, familiar problems linger that threaten to prevent the tournament from reaching its full potential. While not a traditional powerhouse, Morocco is becoming the emerging epicenter of women's football on the continent. Thanks to no competing bids and some of the best stadiums in Africa, Morocco has become a stable and safe choice for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host the tournament. They are hosting again this time around, after having hosted in 2022. They are also set to host in 2026. Recent investment in the women's game in Morocco is clearly paying off. The women's team unexpectedly reached the World Cup knockout stages in 2023 and have developed star players such as captain and legend Ghizlane Chebbak, who scored a hat trick against DR Congo in the group stage of this year's WAFCON. Under Jorge Vilda, who was sacked as Spain's coach after the 2023 scandal involving former Spanish Federation President Luis Rubiales, Morocco are daring to challenge the established football forces of Nigeria and South Africa. They also have the potential to deliver lasting cultural change to both northern Africa and the rest of the continent. Elsewhere at WAFCON, Nigerian superstar Asisat Oshoala, Zambia's striking duo of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji and South Africa head coach Desiree Ellis are just some of the star-studded names that make this year's tournament one of the most intriguing ever. The tournament is held back from reaching its full potential by off-field decisions. As a result of the delay, scheduling for the tournament only came out at the end of May, leaving promotion somewhat last minute, especially compared to the Euros. Furthermore, with three stadiums in Morocco being renovated for the men's tournament, three smaller grounds are now being used, affecting attendance numbers. "We don't celebrate this team enough," Ellis said of her players ahead of their opening game. "That needs to change because many of them are not full-time professionals; that's what makes it the hardest part." Beyond the elusive recognition that many of these teams deserve is the question of fair financial compensation. South Africa's tournament build-up has been hampered by financial issues, with reports that players were not training and sponsors hadn't been secured. An agreement with the players has since been reached, but the team's frustration is one that sadly many other nations competing this summer will likely be able to relate to. "Women in sports, in general, are getting the leftovers," Ellis said. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The prize money on offer is also a contentious issue. On the face of it, the CAF announcement that the prize fund for this year's WAFCON had been increased by 45% was positive, with the winners now receiving €853,000 ($1 million). But that total is not only less than the winners of the other two women's competitions this summer — the Euros (€1.75 million) and Copa America Femenina (€1.3 million). It is worth noting that the Euros total prize money is up by 156% from the last edition. As is often the case for most women's tournaments, the pot is considerably smaller than the men's version. While €853,000 for this year's WAFCON winners is obviously a step in the right direction, it is still a long way off the €6 million Senegal's men got for winning the AFCON in 2023. This pay gap marks a wider issue in the women's game, which many players at this year's WAFCON have to contend with. As FIFA's annual report on women's football in March this year revealed, sustainable income remains elusive for many in the professional game. In the report, FIFA highlighted that the global average annual salary for a woman playing professional football is €9,952 ($10,900). Players at teams given the Tier 1 designation were on an average salary of €20,492 but the average of those at Tier 2 and 3 clubs was €3,719 and €2,392 respectively. While many of the 288 players at this year's WAFCON play their club football in Europe, only a handful play at top outfits. For example, only 10 play in the NWSL (top women's league in the USA) or the WSL (top women's league in England) and most of the South Africa, Botswana and Tanzania squads play domestically. Despite the smaller crowds, the lack of adequate promotion and unique struggles of each nation, this year's WAFCON already has the makings of being the best yet. But, as women's football continues to grow in Africa, the hurdles — both globally and nationally — still hold women in professional football back.


DW
2 days ago
- DW
WAFCON finally underway but faces familiar problems – DW – 07/15/2025
A year later than planned, the women's Africa Cup of Nations is taking place in Morocco. While star players impress, familiar problems remain. The rescheduled women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is underway in Morocco, a year later than planned. The tournament sees some of the best players in the world fighting for glory, but as players and nations emerge, familiar problems linger that threaten to stop the tournament from reaching its full potential. While not a traditional powerhouse, Morocco is becoming the emerging epicenter of women's football on the continent. Thanks to no competing bids and some of the best stadiums in Africa, Morocco have become a stable and safe choice for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host the tournament. They are hosting again this time around, after having hosted in 2022. They are also set to host in 2026. Recent investment in the women's game in Morocco is clearly paying off. The women's team unexpectedly reached the World Cup knockout stages in 2023 and have developed star players such as captain and legend Ghizlane Chebbak, who scored a hat trick against DR Congo in the group stage of this year's WAFCON. Under Jorge Vilda, the former Spain coach who was sacked after the 2023 scandal involving former Spanish Federation President Luis Rubiales, Morocco are daring to challenge the established football forces of Nigeria and South Africa. They also have the potential to deliver lasting cultural change to both northern Africa and the rest of the continent. Elsewhere at this year's WAFCON, Nigerian superstar Asisat Oshoala, Zambia's striking duo of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji and South Africa head coach Desiree Ellis are just some of the star-studded names that make this tournament one of the most intriguing ever. And yet, the tournament is held back from reaching its full potential by off-field decisions. As a result of the delay, scheduling for the tournament only came out at the end of May, leaving promotion somewhat last minute, especially compared to the Euros. Furthermore, with three stadiums in Morocco being renovated for the men's tournament, three smaller grounds are now being used, affecting attendance numbers. "We don't celebrate this team enough," Ellis said of her players ahead of their opening game. "That needs to change because many of them are not full-time professionals; that's what makes it the hardest part." Beyond the recognition that many of these teams deserve and yet still remains elusive is the question of fair financial compensation. South Africa's tournament build-up has been hampered by financial issues, with reports that players were not training and sponsors hadn't been secured. An agreement with the players has since been reached, but the team's frustration is one that sadly many other nations competing this summer will likely be able to relate to. "Women in sports, in general, are getting the leftovers," Ellis said. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The prize money on offer is also a contentious issue. On the face of it, the CAF announcement that the prize fund for this year's WAFCON had been increased by 45% was positive, with the winners now receiving €853,000 ($1 million). But that total is not only less than the winners of the other two women's competitions this summer – the Euros (€1.75 million) and Copa America Femenina (€1.3 million). It is worth noting that the Euros total prize money is up by 156% from the last edition. As is often the case for most women's tournaments, the pot is considerably smaller than the men's version. While €853,000 for this year's WAFCON winners is obviously a step in the right direction, it is still a long way off the €6 million Senegal's men got for winning the AFCON in 2023. This pay gap marks a wider issue in the women's game, which many players at this year's WAFCON have to contend with. As FIFA's annual report on women's football in March this year revealed, sustainable income remains elusive for many in the professional game. In the report, FIFA highlighted that the global average annual salary for a woman playing professional football is €9,952 ($10,900). Players at teams given the Tier 1 designation were on an average salary of €20,492 but the average of those at Tier 2 and 3 clubs was €3,719 and €2,392 respectively. While many of the 288 players at this year's WAFCON play their club football in Europe, only a handful play at top outfits. For example, only 10 play in the NWSL (top women's league in the USA) or the WSL (top women's league in England) and most of the South Africa, Botswana and Tanzania squads play domestically. Despite the smaller crowds, the lack of adequate promotion and unique struggles of each nation, this year's WAFCON already has the makings of being the best yet. But as women's football continues to grow in Africa, the hurdles in the way – both globally and nationally – still hold women in professional football back.