The Democratic Republic of Congo is set to face England in the World Cup round of 32 on Wednesday, a match that evokes memories of the country's historic sporting milestones in 1974.
Journalist Justin Kabala Mwana, who covered those events, sees the upcoming fixture in Atlanta as a chance for the nation to reclaim unity and dignity after decades of conflict and corruption.
1974 World Cup Debut
Then known as Zaire, the nation became the first sub-Saharan African country to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 1974.
The team lost all three group matches without scoring a goal.
During a 2-0 loss to Brazil, defender Mwepu Ilunga ran out of the defensive wall to kick away a free-kick before it was taken, an act that drew ridicule at the time.
Ilunga later explained it was a deliberate protest against national football officials.
Players had threatened to boycott their prior match against Yugoslavia—a 9-0 defeat—due to unpaid bonuses promised by FIFA.
"I don't regret it at all," Ilunga said, adding that he sought a red card to protest financial mismanagement.
The referee only issued a yellow card.
Former forward Mayanga Maku recalled that preparations were initially well-organized under President Mobutu Sese Seko, who rewarded players with houses and cars after their Africa Cup of Nations victory earlier that year.
"President Mobutu took us under his wing," Maku said. The team withdrew from club competitions to focus solely on the tournament.
Internal financial disputes disrupted morale once the team arrived in Europe. Reserve goalkeeper Mohamed Kalambay noted, "We were missing one small thing: recognition.
We didn't get our bonuses."
"You don't have the morale to play. And that's what happened to us," Kalambay added.
Zaire conceded 14 goals in three matches.
The Rumble in the Jungle
In October 1974, President Mobutu funded a $10 million purse to host the heavyweight boxing championship between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Kinshasa, known as the Rumble in the Jungle.
"Geopolitically, President Mobutu really pulled off a media coup because his country was discovered and became known across the world," Mwana recalled.
The event elevated Zaire's international profile despite severe domestic economic challenges, including a collapse in copper prices and fuel shortages.
"It was a crisis," Mwana said, but Mobutu insisted that "the dignity of his country was beyond price."
The whole country mobilized to stage the fight, which ended with Ali defeating Foreman in the eighth round.
Celebrations lasted 48 hours.
"People partied right through the night. Beer was flowing freely for up to 48 hours after the fight," Mwana said.
The sporting triumph provided temporary relief from economic troubles. "Zaire caught its breath a little.
Except economically, that wasn't," Mwana noted.
Now, DR Congo's national team looks to advance to the quarter-finals by defeating England on Wednesday.
