Sébastien Desabre urges DR Congo to prove their progress in World Cup playoff final against Nigeria

Sébastien Desabre has challenged his DR Congo side to demonstrate their full potential as they prepare to face Nigeria in the decisive final of the 2026 World Cup play-offs.

Fresh from their crucial victory over Cameroon in the semi-finals, the Leopards now stand one match away from a place at the global tournament.

Desabre, however, is under no illusions about the scale of the task ahead as his team confronts a Nigerian side with a long-established reputation in African football.

Speaking on the eve of the showdown, the Congolese coach stressed both the ambition driving his players and the respect they hold for their opponents.

“Nigeria remains one of the best teams in Africa. They are ahead of us in the FIFA rankings and we know we still have room for improvement. We are moving forward, we took a good step today and we will have another opportunity against Nigeria to show what we are capable of,” he said.

The win over Cameroon reinforced DR Congo’s belief that they are progressing at the right moment.

Throughout the qualifiers, Desabre has emphasised the importance of developing tactical cohesion and mental resilience, qualities he believes are beginning to take hold within the squad.

The upcoming contest, he noted, is another chance to confirm that evolution and prove their ability to compete at the highest level.

Nigeria, a team rich in experience and known for its attacking quality, pose a stern test.

Their place among Africa’s top-ranked sides underscores the consistency with which they perform on the continental stage.

For DR Congo, matching the Super Eagles’ intensity and discipline will be essential as they attempt to secure a long-awaited return to the World Cup.

Desabre’s message to his players is clear: the final is both a challenge and an opportunity.

The match offers a platform to validate the strides made during the campaign, and to show that the Leopards are prepared not only to fight for qualification but to compete with the continent’s elite.

As anticipation builds for the decisive clash, DR Congo enter the fixture motivated by belief, momentum and the words of their coach — a reminder that their journey has brought them to the brink of something significant.

Whether they can take the final step now rests on their ability to deliver the performance Desabre insists they are capable of producing.