Pape Gueye insists Senegal must leave Kinshasa with all three points when they face DR Congo in a high-stakes 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier this September.
The Villarreal midfielder is fully aware of the challenge that awaits the Lions of Teranga as they prepare for what could prove to be a decisive round of fixtures.
Currently second in Group B, Senegal trail DR Congo, the group leaders, making their upcoming encounter not just a battle for supremacy but potentially a pivotal moment in the qualification campaign.
Speaking to Wiwsport in collaboration with LaLiga, Gueye acknowledged the importance of the match against a Congolese side that continues to improve with every tournament.
“We must do everything to win there, we must qualify,” he declared with a sense of urgency and determination.
The 25-year-old is no stranger to some of DR Congo’s key players. “I’ve been speaking with Willy Kambwala at the club, and I know Chancel Mbemba from my time at Marseille,” Gueye revealed.
“I joke with them and say, ‘We’re coming to your place to attack you.’” He delivered the comment with a smile, but there was no disguising the serious intent behind his words.
Senegal’s path to North America in 2026 continues with two major qualifiers in September, first against Sudan, currently third in the group, and then the showdown with DR Congo.
Both matches could prove decisive in shaping the final standings in Group B, where only the top team is guaranteed direct qualification for the tournament.
The midfielder was quick to highlight the quality and growth of the Congolese squad. “They’re a team that has made a lot of progress. We saw that at the last AFCON, with plenty of talented players making an impact,” he noted.
“It’s going to be a good match, very open, and I’ve heard a lot about the atmosphere in that stadium in Kinshasa. It’s going to be intense.”
For Gueye and his teammates, the mission is clear. “We have to qualify,” he stated firmly. “We’re focused and committed. We’ll give everything we have to get the result.”
Senegal, winners of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, are under pressure to maintain their status as one of the continent’s top teams, especially after an underwhelming campaign in the most recent edition of the tournament.
The World Cup qualifiers offer an opportunity for redemption and progression, and Gueye knows there is little room for error.
With just a few months to go, preparations are already underway for what is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated fixtures in African football this year.
The stakes are high, the tension is building, and for Pape Gueye, the goal is simple: return from Kinshasa with victory and bring Senegal one step closer to another World Cup appearance.
