Chancel Mbemba Leads DR Congo to the Brink of a Historic World Cup Return
Chancel Mbemba has carried the weight of expectation before. He has captained in stadiums pulsing with tension, carried the hopes of a vast footballing nation, and played in the most intense atmospheres Ligue 1 can offer. But nothing quite resembled this week in Rabat, where the 31-year-old transformed himself into the beating heart of a DR Congo side refusing to let another FIFA World Cup opportunity slip away.
On Thursday, Mbemba marked his 100th international cap with a last-minute winner against Cameroon - a goal that kept the Leopards alive. Three days later, he delivered again, scoring the decisive penalty in a 4-3 shootout triumph over Nigeria that sent DR Congo into March’s inter-confederation playoffs.
Mbemba's renaissance
Mbemba’s comeback is one of the great personal arcs of African football’s recent years. Just over twelve months ago, he found himself frozen out at Olympique de Marseille, playing only games for his nation before committing to a move to Lille OSC during the summer. At the age of 30, defenders often plateau or fade. Instead, Mbemba’s response was refusal: refusal to accept decline, refusal to give up rhythm, refusal to let club frustrations touch his national team commitments.
"I respect OM and would like to thank President Pablo (Longoria), all the supporters and my former teammates," recently said Mbemba on his stint in the Provence region.
"I would also like to thank the president of Lille (Olivier Létang)," continued the defender when speaking to Ligue1+ "He gave me the opportunity to play, as did the coach and the staff. Nobody believed in me. That's life."
Under Bruno Génésio at Lille, the defender has already played a vital role in the centre of defence in nine matches over both European and domestic competition in Ligue 1 McDonald's so far this season.
“Nothing has been easy, but each step has made me stronger,” Mbemba reflected on Instagram after reaching 100 caps.
The LEopards daring to dream
The Leopards now advance to the inter-confederation playoffs in March, where six teams — including Bolivia, New Caledonia, a yet-to-be-decided Asian representative, and two from CONCACAF — will fight for two FIFA World Cup spots.
Another test for huge test for Mbemba and DR Congo, but for the first time in 52 years they can dare to imagine themselves at a World Cup - and their captain is the face of that belief.
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>>World Cup: What awaits Les Bleus?
