Houston's Congolese community rallies behind Les Léopards
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Congo's team trains in Houston. Photo: Maria Lysaker/Getty Images
For the first time in 52 years, Congo is back on soccer's biggest stage — and Houston's Congolese community is brimming with joy.
Why it matters: The Congo's national soccer team, Les Léopards, is based in Houston for its run in the World Cup, giving local Congolese residents a rare opportunity to support their country up close.
- For many Congolese supporters, it's the first time they've seen their country represented on the World Cup stage — a source of pride for a nation often associated with humanitarian crises, political tensions and Ebola outbreaks.
The latest: Congo faces Portugal at Houston Stadium on Wednesday.
The big picture: The Congo team arrived in Houston on Thursday — looking fashionably sharp in leopard-print suits — and were quickly dubbed "best dressed" team online.
- The team traveled from Europe after complying with FIFA health protocols related to the Ebola outbreak.
- On Friday, the team practiced in front of Congolese fans.
What they're saying: "I don't know how to describe it, but I feel very proud. I feel like Congo is on display ... I will have something to tell my grandkids," Wedi Safari, a Houston resident from the Congo, told Axios.
- Safari said she believes Congo will win, but laughed as she added: "I'll also get to see [Cristiano] Ronaldo play."
- "We're happy because it's also our opportunity to showcase our culture. I feel like most of the time when people hear about Congo, it's always associated with sadness, Ebola, war. People don't really know much about Congo, and we're big in culture, fashion, music," says Christina Badibanga, who is originally from Congo and has been living in Houston for 10 years.
- "I'm excited. I'm positive we will score and win," said Jules Tshibangu, a Congolese Houstonian.
The intrigue: Some fans spent $400 to $500 on tickets to Wednesday's match, while others say they got free tickets from the Congolese federation.
- Several supporters said they hoped for more free tickets for the community, given that many Congolese fans were unable to travel because of Ebola-related restrictions.