World Cup 2026: Sports Minister congratulates goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi

Kinshasa, June 24^th, 2026 (CPA).- The Minister in charge of Sports and Leisure of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Didier Budimbu, praised the performance of Leopards goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi despite the team’s 1-0 defeat to Colombia on Wednesday in Guadalajara, Mexico, during the second matchday of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On his X account, the Sports and Leisure Minister commended the Congolese shot-stopper’s display. “I would like to extend a special mention to our goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, whose determination and heroic saves have allowed us to keep our heads high. Nothing is decided yet. Everything will come down to the final match against Uzbekistan. Let us remain united and mobilized; our destiny is still in our hands,” Didier Budimbu stated. It should be noted that the fate of the Congolese Leopards will be decided on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States, at 00:30 a.m. Kinshasa time, against the White Wolves of Uzbekistan in the final Group K fixture of the global football showpiece.