Kinshasa, June 18th, 2026 (CPA).- Several Congolese and African musicians have praised the performance of the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), highlighting their physical commitment and defensive resilience during the 1-1 draw against Portugal on Wednesday in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “A draw, yes. But it’s a great victory no matter what! Many expected Portugal to crush Congo, but that didn’t happen. They showed courage, defended brilliantly, and today we are proud of the Leopards. It was an excellent World Cup debut and, honestly, Congo could even have won. Fimbu,” wrote French rapper of Malian origin Traoré Mokobé on his Facebook account.
In the foreground, Congolese player Yoane Wissa celebrates his goal
The reaction reflects the enthusiasm generated by the Congolese national team’s performance, as it held its own against one of the strongest teams in Group K. The voice of Congolese rumba also joined the chorus of praise through singer JB Mpiana, who congratulated the players for their determination while urging them to maintain the same momentum throughout the tournament. “Congratulations, Leopards, congratulations guys. Nobody plays with the Congolese, especially when President Félix Tshisekedi is there. JB Mpiana is telling you: keep moving straight ahead until the very end of this competition,” the singer said in a video shared on his Facebook page. Many other Congolese artists, including Ferré Gola, Werrason and Sam Tshintu, as well as personalities from the sports, cultural and political spheres, also sent messages of congratulations and encouragement to the national team following the match.
Franco-Malian rapper Mokobé shows his support for the DRC Leopards
On the pitch, the Leopards secured an encouraging result against Portugal, one of the favorites in Group K. Trailing in the opening minutes after João Neves scored the first goal, Sébastien Desabre’s men responded before halftime through Yoane Wissa, who netted the equalizer. The draw allows the DRC to begin its World Cup campaign on a positive note while keeping its ambitions intact for the remainder of the tournament.