- DR Congo earned its first-ever World Cup point against Portugal
- The result brought joy to Ebola-hit residents in Bunia
- Fans celebrated despite the health crisis and insecurity
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s historic first-ever point at the FIFA World Cup sparked rare scenes of celebration in Bunia, a city battling one of the country’s deadliest Ebola outbreaks.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the Leopards earned a 1-1 draw against Portugal in Houston after forward Yoane Wissa scored the nation’s first goal in World Cup history, cancelling out the early lead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s side.
Following the match, DR Congo head coach Sebastien Desabre praised his players for making the country proud and giving citizens a reason to celebrate during a difficult period.
The joy was particularly evident in Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province, where the ongoing Ebola outbreak has devastated communities.
The region remains the centre of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s 17th Ebola outbreak, which has also spread into Uganda.
According to the latest figures, the outbreak has infected more than 1,100 people and claimed at least 279 lives across both countries.
Bunia alone has recorded hundreds of infections and dozens of deaths, with health officials warning that limited testing means the true figures could be higher.
Despite the health crisis, residents gathered around television sets in bars and businesses to watch the World Cup encounter.
When Wissa found the net, fans poured into the streets in celebration. Young supporters danced, waved their hands in excitement and cheered loudly, while motorcycle riders marked the moment by performing stunts through the city.
Bars were packed with football lovers, even though authorities had earlier imposed restrictions on large public gatherings to help limit the spread of Ebola.
One supporter, Antoinette Makasi, said she was proud to support her country despite concerns about the crowded environment. She added that she intended to disinfect herself after returning home because of the ongoing outbreak.
The national team’s achievement also erased painful memories of the country’s only previous World Cup appearance in 1974, when it competed as Zaire and finished the tournament without earning a point while conceding 14 goals.
For many residents, football provided a brief escape from the insecurity and hardship affecting Ituri Province, where armed groups continue to launch frequent attacks alongside the public health emergency.
A resident, Heritier Kimbimbi, said moments like the World Cup offered people a chance to forget their daily struggles and honour those lost to violence and disease.
Not every fan enjoyed the experience from the start. A large crowd gathered around a giant public screen in Bunia hoping to watch the match, only to discover it had not been switched on.
Several disappointed supporters criticised local authorities, noting that the screen regularly displayed Ebola awareness campaigns but failed to broadcast the country’s biggest football match.
Many eventually travelled to nearby restaurants and businesses with functioning televisions, where they witnessed a memorable result that delivered a rare moment of hope and national pride for the Democratic Republic of Congo
