‘Going To Give Our All’: From Ebola Chaos To World Cup Dream, The Democratic Republic Of The Congo Faces Defining Test

Few countries can claim to have had a more disjointed build-up to the FIFA World Cup than the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but on Saturday, they stand on the brink of a passage to the knockout rounds of the global showpiece competition when they face Uzbekistan in Atlanta.

The Congolese will need victory to advance to the round of 32, something that is certainly within their grasp, and it will be a monumental feat on their return to the World Cup for the first time in 52 years.

That is not so much because of their inexperience at this level, but rather the hardships placed on them to prepare for the finals.

The Ebola virus outbreak in the country, driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no licensed vaccine or treatment yet, has infected 1,118 people and killed 291, according to government data released on Wednesday.

That meant the team had to cancel a training camp in Kinshasa or fall foul of travel restrictions in place by the United States that says visitors must be outside of the country for 21 days and symptom-free before they will be allowed entry.

Congo instead prepared in Belgium and Spain, though had to play a final friendly match against Chile in France after local Spanish authorities refused to host the game over concerns around the virus.