00:08Thousands of Congolese football fans braved the rain in Kinshasa to cheer on the leopards
00:14as they faced Jamaica's reggae boys.
00:17With a place at the World Cup the prize for the victor, the tense game ended in a goalless
00:23draw.
00:23But the DRC players stepped up the tempo in extra time and Axel Tuanzebe scored in their
00:30hundredth minute to win the match and end a 52 year wait for qualification.
00:42Today we are very happy to witness our victory against Jamaica.
00:47We were very worried at first but remained hopeful that we would qualify for the World
00:52Cup.
00:53I feel some kind of anointing on me.
00:58I'm so happy I can't express it clearly.
01:00I didn't believe it at first.
01:02I wasn't born 52 years ago when our team made its first appearance in the World Cup.
01:06I just heard stories but now I'm witnessing it.
01:10Many leaders have come and gone without achieving this great feat.
01:13For a nation that has been plagued by conflict and suffering for decades, this offers a moment
01:20of hope and national unity.
01:22The DRC is the 10th African team to qualify for the World Cup.
01:27They have been drawn in Group K where they will face Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia.
01:33The government has officially declared Wednesday a public holiday.
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