Mulumbu Optimistic as DR Congo Seal Late AFCON Qualification
DR Congo captain Youssouf Mulumbu has hailed his side’s unity and potential after they secured a last-gasp qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Equatorial Guinea.
The Leopards defeated Sierra Leone 3–1 in their final qualifier, a result that took them to nine points. But it wasn’t enough to guarantee automatic qualification — they had to wait for other results to confirm their place as the best third-placed team, edging out Egypt on goal difference.
It was a dramatic end to the campaign, but one that brought joy to Mulumbu and his teammates. “We’re a young team. Now all that’s left is to work,” the West Bromwich Albion midfielder told Radio Okapi.
“If we learn the lessons from this qualifying campaign, there’s a very bright future ahead. We can be a dangerous team in the years to come — but we need to keep this group together.”
Mulumbu, who captained the side throughout the qualifiers, spoke of a growing sense of cohesion within the squad.
“I really enjoyed this campaign,” he said. “For the first time, I genuinely felt that the players, the technical staff, and the supporters were all moving in the same direction. That unity made a difference.”
DR Congo will now prepare for the continental showpiece in January, having returned to the competition after missing out on the 2012 and 2010 editions. With a youthful squad and renewed optimism, Mulumbu is confident they can surprise a few opponents in Malabo.
“I hope we’ll go all the way,” he concluded.
