AFCON 2015 – DRC CAPTAIN YOUSSOUF MULUMBU: “WE STILL BELIEVE”
After falling 1–0 to Cameroon in Yaoundé, DR Congo has no room for error as they prepare to face Sierra Leone this Wednesday in Kinshasa. With one last lifeline for AFCON 2015 qualification, captain Youssouf Mulumbu has rallied his teammates and the Congolese public ahead of the decisive encounter.
“We will now focus on the next match, because it is important that we win. And we will see what Cameroon does against Ivory Coast.”
“We still believe in qualifying for the CAN. The chances are slim, but I still believe in it.”
Currently third in Group D behind Cameroon (13 pts) and Ivory Coast (9 pts), the Leopards sit on 6 points, just three behind the Elephants. A Congolese win over Sierra Leone, paired with a Cameroon victory in Abidjan, would see DRC snatch second place and qualify directly. Failing that, a convincing win could still make them the best third-placed team across all groups.
“There are two possibilities: Cameroon beats Ivory Coast, and we beat Sierra Leone — we go second and qualify. Or, we aim for the best third-placed team.”
“The Cameroon match is over, it’s behind us. Now, we prepare for Wednesday.”
Group D Standings Ahead of Final Day:
Cameroon – 13 pts (qualified)
Ivory Coast – 9 pts (needs a draw vs Cameroon to qualify)
DR Congo – 6 pts (must win, hope for help)
Sierra Leone – 1 pt (eliminated)
What’s at Stake:
DRC: Win + Cameroon win = 2nd place.
Failing that, a big win might earn the DRC the best third-place spot, edging out teams like Egypt, Malawi, or Congo.
“We can’t go back to the loss in Yaoundé. All our focus is now on delivering the result we need. We must believe.” – Youssouf Mulumbu
The final group matches promise high drama — and for the Leopards, possibly redemption.
