Beyond the controversy over the Leopards’ uniforms at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, another issue is igniting debate on social media: the size of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s delegation to Egypt. This discussion intensified following the Leopards’ second defeat against Egypt on Wednesday.
According to RFI, the Congolese delegation includes 173 guests in addition to the players—a number widely considered excessive. Many Congolese citizens have expressed outrage at the scale and cost of this entourage, especially given the country’s economic challenges.
The citizens’ movement LUCHA (Struggle for Change) took to Twitter to illustrate the financial implications. “We did a quick calculation: round-trip tickets (lowest price): 173 x $1,000 = $173,000. Hotel/day/person: 173 x $150 = $25,950. If they stay 10 days, the cost will be no less than $700,000 (including per diems),” the organization noted.
LUCHA went further, highlighting that the mission order actually spans 30 days: “Hotel expenses alone are around $150 x 173 x 30 = $778,500. The total state expenditure (our taxes) should therefore exceed $1 million. People First?!”
In a country where over 60% of the population lives below the poverty line, the criticism is understandable. The delegation reportedly includes media personnel, guests of the presidency, the prime minister’s office, the National Committee for Support of the Leopards, and guests of the Public Prosecutor.
The optics of such a lavish entourage—particularly amid sporting defeats—have struck a nerve with the Congolese public, fueling debates about governance, transparency, and the use of taxpayer money.
