CK Updates
DR Congo vs Jamaica: World Cup play-off sees Leopards bid to end 52-year absence
Football fans in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been waiting a long time to right the wrongs of their solitary World Cup campaign in 1974.
That was the year US President Richard Nixon resigned over the Watergate scandal, the Rubix Cube was invented and Muhammad Ali beat George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle in the Congolese capital Kinshasa.
Victory for the Leopards in Tuesday’s intercontinental play-off final against Jamaica will end that 52-year wait and guarantee Africa a 10th representative at this year’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
“I’d definitely consider it as the biggest game in my football career,” Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe told Sportsworld on BBC World Service, while former captain Gabriel Zakuani labelled it “the biggest game in our history”.
Should DR Congo win, over 110 million people back home, as well as a huge global diaspora, will pray things go better this time than they did in West Germany, when their country competed as Zaire.
That campaign kicked off poorly with a 2-0 defeat against Scotland, careened off the tracks in a 9-0 humiliation against Yugoslavia and descended into farce during a 3-0 loss to Brazil which produced one of the World Cup’s most memorable moments.
Not in a good way.
“What on Earth did he do that for?” was the question posed by BBC commentator John Motson when right-back Mwepu Ilunga charged out of the defensive wall and booted the ball downfield as Brazil lined up a free-kick on the edge of the Zaire penalty area.
Ilunga received a yellow card, but the damage done to African football’s reputation was more severe, creating an impression that players from the continent did not even know the rules.
“We were not a bad team,” Mohamed Kalambay, one of the goalkeepers in the 1974 squad, told BBC Sporting Witness in 2022.
“When you look at the teams in Africa, there are just a few that have been to the World Cup, but we were there and we deserved it.”
Darker reasons have been suggested for Ilunga’s moment of madness and the team’s underperformance, ranging from unpaid bonuses to threats of violence.
Now a new generation hope to create their own iconic moments to banish those ghosts.
Victory against Jamaica will see them join a group containing Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia.
“The aim is to also compete and put on a good show,” said Zakuani, an assistant coach with DR Congo’s Under-20s, “not just be participants, not just be happy to be part of the party, but also to create history”.
London City Lionesses defender Jana Fernandez has signed a new contract, keeping her at the club until 2029.
The 24-year-old has become a key player for Eder Maestre’s side since joining from Barcelona a year ago.
She played in every Women’s Super League match for London City last season as they finished sixth in their debut campaign in the top flight.
Her performances at right-back earned her the fans’ votes for club player of the season.
“I’m absolutely delighted to sign a new contract here at London City,” said Fernandez.
“When I arrived in England one year ago I joined this club with dreams for the future.
“Potential, excitement and progress are three words I associate with the club and I’m pleased to commit my future. I feel at home and settled here.
“We are building something special together, as players, staff and fans, and I can’t wait to play my part.”
Before her move to England, Fernandez spent her career at Barcelona, graduating from their academy and becoming a five-time league champion.
She also won the Champions League and Copa de la Reina three times.
Fernandez was part of the Spain team that finished runners-up to England at Euro 2025.
She has been joined at London City by former Barcelona team-mates Alexia Putellas – the two-time Ballon d’Or winner – and Mapi Leon.
Under US billionaire owner Michele Kang, London City hope to break into the WSL’s traditional top three and qualify for the Champions League.
Having attracted big names in the summer, it was crucial London City retained their other talent, and they have been able to do that with Fernandez and England winger Freya Godfrey committing their futures in recent months.
Kieron: Kilmarnock could have won by three or four and it wouldn’t of flattered them. Hibs were so poor tonight. David Gray’s position is hanging by a thread.
Stuart: The players on that pitch have to take as much responsibility as Gray for this result, nowhere near good enough. Amateur performance.
Andy: How can Gray continue to keep his job? The players are not playing for him. The club is a mess. Banning the only fans that bring an atmosphere. Benching three of our best players. So confusing.
Chris: Question the tactics. Thought for long time long ball is desperate and lacks ambition. Pressure indeed on David Gray.
Lee: If we end the game two points off bottom spot then it’s surely time up for the Hibs manager. It’s not a run and recovery from a bad position needed, it’s deliver and results from the get go the support demands for a club of our size.
Stuart: The players on that pitch have to take as much responsibility as David Gray for this result, nowhere near good enough. Amateur performance.
Paul: Long balls to no-one as usual from Hibs and as usual our keeper is a weak link. Gray has to go even if we win as this is awful football. Bring in Neil Lennon or Steve Clarke asap before our season drifts to nothing as usual.
Andy: How can Gray continue to keep his job? The players are not playing for him. The club is a mess. Banning the only fans that bring an atmosphere. Benching three of our best players. So confusing.
Brian: Worst backline in Scotland, midfielders trot about like headless chickens, feel sorry for strikers. Gray clueless. No plan. No tactics. Blah, blah, blah after game as usual but won’t resign. Board have to act.
SMcDhfc: David Gray has lost the team, it was obvious tonight. As an attacking force, we were shocking, lots of huffing and puffing but not one real effort on target. The players should be embarrassed after that display, but they will get the result they are after, Gray sacked.
Craig: I like Gray but believe it’s time he goes. He has one formation. It’s just not good enough. But, if he goes, Malky MacKay [director of football] should go too. His signings have been terrible.
England’s victory was only the third time Mexico had tasted defeat at the stadium in 90 competitive matches.
Tuchel described it as one of the highlights of the campaign and hailed the “huge bond” within the camp, especially the reaction to Jordan Henderson’s tournament-ending injury after falling over an advertising hoarding while celebrating the Azteca success.
“This game had so much of what you could wish for,” added the German. “If you needed any proof of what it meant to these players and how they were with each other, it was the moment Jordan fell over and broke his arm.
“Within a second, the players were there. Every single player was there stopping the celebrations, building a shield, protecting Jordan, not going anywhere, in full empathy. It was so special.”
England are next in action against World Cup winners Spain on 26 September in their 2026-27 Uefa Nations League opener, with the 2028 European Championships also on Tuchel’s radar.
Confident of ending England’s wait for a first senior men’s trophy since 1966, he believed their World Cup run not only cemented his relationship with the squad – “it feels like they are my players now” – but also represented “something to build on”.
Tuchel added: “I’m very excited. I think we got another step closer and I think we’re there.”
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CK Updates23 hours agoNorthern Ireland: Eligibility rules ‘not particularly fair’ – Michael O’Neill
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CK Updates10 hours agoHibs: David Gray ‘will continue until told otherwise’ – but has Hibs boss lost the fans?
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CK Updates17 hours agoThomas Tuchel: England boss regrets not eating Azteca turf after World Cup win in Mexico