DR Congo Coach Desabre Confident Ahead of Nigeria Clash, Says Super Eagles Are “Best in Africa”

Democratic Republic of Congo head coach, Sébastien Desabre, has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to defeat Nigeria, despite describing the Super Eagles as the “best team in Africa.”

DR Congo booked their place in the final phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoffs after a dramatic 1–0 victory over Cameroon on Thursday night at the Barid Stadium in Rabat.
Captain Chancel Mbemba sealed the win with a stoppage-time strike that sent the Leopards into wild celebration.

The result means the Leopards will now face Nigeria in the final showdown, with a ticket to the Intercontinental Playoffs on the line.

Speaking to actualite.cd, Desabre acknowledged Nigeria’s strength but maintained that his squad has what it takes to rise to the challenge.

“Nigeria remains the best in Africa. We know we still have room for improvement against teams ranked ahead of us in the FIFA rankings,” Desabre said.
“We have experienced players. What we’re putting in place hasn’t happened overnight. It will be a different kind of match. Whatever happens, we’re going to give it our all.”

Opinion: A Respectful Fear — or a Tactical Mind Game?

Desabre’s comments may look like a coach showing respect to a football giant, but they also carry a hint of strategy. Calling Nigeria the “best in Africa” sets the stage for psychological play — acknowledging their strength while quietly preparing an upset.

And truly, Nigeria remains a powerhouse, blessed with some of the finest attackers and midfielders on the continent. But DR Congo’s determination, discipline, and recent momentum make them far from underdogs.

Football has shown repeatedly that respect doesn’t win matches — effort does.
Desabre’s men have already proven they can shock big teams, as seen in their last-minute demolition of Cameroon.

If Nigeria underrates them, it could be dangerous.
If DR Congo over-respects Nigeria, it could be equally costly.

This final promises to be more than a game — it’s a battle of belief, experience, and tactical bravery. And with a World Cup dream hanging in the balance, both sides know there is no room for hesitation.

One thing is sure: whether Nigeria’s pedigree prevails or DR Congo’s ambition surprises the continent, football fans are in for a thrilling, high-stakes showdown.