Authorities in the Democratic Republic Congo have declared Wednesday a public holiday after the national football team qualified for their first World Cup in 52 years.
The Leopards reached the finals on Tuesday when Axel Tuanzebe’s extra-time goal gave them a 1-0 win over Jamaica in the play-off.
DR Congo’s ministry of labour and employment said that as a result of the historic victory, the nation could have the day off work to celebrate in unity, fervour and national pride.
The central African nation has only played in the World Cup once before in 1974 when the country was named Zaire.
Numerous employers honoured the holiday on Wednesday, with many banks and shops shut throughout the day in the capital, Kinshasa.
However some employers proceeded with the work day as normal as the announcement made at approximately 08:00 local time, came at such short notice.
Tuesday’s match was an intense affair, with former Manchester United player Tuanzebe only breaking the deadlock in the 100th minute.
Elated football fans celebrated in Kinshasa after the team’s victory was confirmed just before 01:00 local time on Wednesday morning.
DR Congo has been battered by decades of conflict. The fighting escalated early last year when the M23 rebel group captured swathes of territory in the country’s east.
Although neighbouring Rwanda is widely believed to be supporting the M23 and the two countries’ leaders have exchanged bitter insults in recent years, Rwanda’s government has congratulated DR Congo on qualifying.
