Former DR Congo international turned assistant coach Gabriel Zakuani has lifted the lid on the remarkable journey that led to the Leopards’ historic World Cup qualification, revealing that the project began with nothing more than an idea in a coffee shop.
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After more than five decades away from football’s biggest stage, DR Congo have finally returned, and according to Zakuani, it was no accident.
“It started as an idea,” he said, describing how the coaching staff mapped out a long-term vision focused on building a competitive national team.
At the heart of that vision was a clear strategy, identifying and convincing eligible players, many of whom were on the verge of committing their international futures to other countries.
“We had to convince them,” Zakuani explained, highlighting the challenge of attracting dual-nationality players to buy into the DR Congo project.
The approach was both targeted and intentional.
Rather than relying solely on existing options, the coaching crew actively scouted players abroad, presenting them with a clear plan centered around one major objective, qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
“We sold them the dream,” he implied.
Zakuani also acknowledged that the situation back home made the task even more difficult, with challenges within the country affecting perceptions.
But instead of seeing those obstacles as setbacks, the coaching staff used them as motivation to build something new.
“It wasn’t easy,” he admitted.
What followed was a gradual process of integration, belief, and development, bringing together a group of players who shared a common goal.
And now, that vision has become reality.
DR Congo’s qualification is not just a sporting achievement, it is the result of planning, persistence, and unity.
For Zakuani, the journey serves as proof that with the right approach, transformation is possible.
As the Leopards prepare for the World Cup, their story stands as an inspiration.
Because sometimes, the biggest achievements begin with the simplest ideas.
And in this case, a coffee shop conversation changed everything.
