As the Democratic Republic of Congo qualifies for the World Cup for the first time in 52 years, captain Chancel Mbemba credited the team's French head coach Sébastien Desabre's mantra of modesty and hard work for their success.
“We’re going to enjoy the qualification," said Mbemba, whose side will play in Group K at the World Cup this summer alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia.
"But we’ll keep working," added the 31-year-old who plays for French Ligue 1 team Lille.
"We know we’ll be facing top nations who play in the World Cup every four years. We’ll stay humble, keep our feet on the ground and continue to work."
Mbemba has been a stalwart of Desabre's squads since the latter took over as head coach at the end of 2022, following two years with Chamois Niortais in France.
It's Desabre second time coaching a national team in Africa, following a stint with Uganda from 2017 to 2019.
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In his first major tournament with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d'Ivoire – Desabre guided the side to the semi-finals where they were beaten by the hosts. At the 2025 competition in Morocco, DRC lost to Algeria in the last 16.
"Elimination remains a bitter pill to swallow," said Desabre after the 1-0 defeat at the Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat.
"I don't see it as regression after what we did in Cote d'Ivoire. I want to focus on the positives: the team is gradually growing. We need to carefully analyse what didn’t work, because some things didn’t, and then quickly refocus on a very important objective coming up in March."
DRC negotiated that very important objective in Mexico with aplomb.
Despite seeing off Cameroon and Nigeria during the four-team African play-offs in November, Desabre refused to crow, even though the DRC's higher place in the Fifa rankings of national teams allowed them an automatic spot in the inter-confederation play-off final – while Jamaica had to vie with New Caledonia in the semis.
"Just like us, Jamaica deserve to be here," said Desabre on the eve of Tuesday night's clash at the Akron Stadium near Guadalajara. "They’re a team with great potential, featuring players who play for top clubs."
The showdown with Jamaica went to extra time before DRC defender Axel Tuanzebe scored the only goal of the game – his first for his country.
"We’re incredibly proud for a whole generation who haven’t been able to see their national team at the World Cup and who are finally going to see them," beamed Desabre. "It’s been 50 years so it’s important. And we’re very proud to show a good image of the DRC because the country deserves it."
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Desabre is one of five French coaches with teams at the 2026 World Cup. He will join compatriots Rudi Garcia (for Belgium), Hervé Renard (Saudi Arabia), Sébastien Migné (Haiti) and Didier Deschamps, who heads the French side.
Only Argentina, with six, boasts more coaches leading teams at the tournament, to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Desabre began his coaching career in 2006 at the age of 30 at ES Cannet-Rocheville in the south of France, before leaving for ASEC Mimosas in Cote d'Ivoire in 2010. The Coupe de Cote d'Ivoire and the Super Coupe Félix Houphouët-Boigny followed in 2011 and 2012.
Posts at clubs Cotonsport Garoua in Cameroon, ES Tunis in Tunisia and CRD Libolo in Angola harvested more trophies before he moved to the United Arab Emirates to lead Dubai Club.
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However, a year later, he was back in Africa to coach at JS Saoura in Algeria, Wydad Casablanca in Morocco and Ismaily SC in Egypt.
His 15 games in charge of Uganda gave him his first taste of the Africa Cup of Nations and brought him to the attention of Pyramids FC in Egypt, where he stayed for 16 games.
He answered a call from Wydad Casablanca in 2020 but the job lasted only a few months before he returned to his homeland.
On leading the Leopards – as DRC are nicknamed – Desabre reflected: "The players and the coaching staff are very proud because it’s been 13 qualifying matches with ups and downs, so we’re going to make the most of the celebrations. But then straight away, it’s a case of refocusing ... because the journey continues."
