World Cup 2026: Axel Tuanzebe shares his emotion after the qualification goal

Africa 01 April 2026 at 04:02

Aliou Toundé

News Editor

DR Congo punched their ticket to the 2026 World Cup after a hard-fought victory over Jamaica (1-0 after extra time) in an intense showdown at Estadio Guadalajara.

Scoring the decisive goal in the 100th minute from a corner, Axel Tuanzebe delivered a historic qualification for the Leopards and firmly established himself as the man of the match. After the final whistle, the defender gave a powerful reaction, summarizing his emotions:

We made things very difficult for ourselves, maybe the occasion got the better of us a bit. Scoring the winning goal for your country... that's every player's dream. I'm so proud of what I've done for the country, I'm proud of the country, and now it's time to celebrate.

Visibly moved, Tuanzebe emphasized the significance of this unique moment, describing it as a living dream and a reward for the entire nation. Thanks to this victory, DR Congo returns to the World Cup more than 50 years after their last appearance in 1974, marking a historic comeback on the world stage.