Sebastien Desabre, coach of theWorld Cup teamfromEbola-hitDemocratic Republic of Congo, said he hoped his team would put up a “good showing” after they wereallowed to entertheUnited Stateson Thursday.
Desabre said he hoped the team could bring some pleasure to their beleaguered compatriots.
The squad arrived on a flight from Paris after US authorities insisted they serve a 21-dayquarantine periodbefore entering US soil.
“We adapted to the situation,” said Desabre. “We had to focus, as we have had to adapt often.
“That is what we did. We worked well, we played two tough friendlies and here we are. Now, it is another step for us.”
DR Congowho havequalified for their first World Cupsince they featured in the 1974 edition as Zaire cancelled a planned pre-World Cup training camp at home after the country was hit by theEbola outbreaklast month and were based in Belgium instead.
Desabre, 49, said the people back home had had to be patient to see the team appear at another World Cup.
“It has been a while since the people have seen the team at theWorld Cup,” said the Frenchman.
“We already had the honour of qualifying for the finals. Now, it is up to us to put up a good showing in this tournament.”
They are to be based in Houston during the competition, where they will play their first Group K match on June 17 againstPortugal.
DR Congo are then scheduled to head to Guadalajara inMexicoto face Colombia on June 23 before playing Uzbekistan in Atlanta on June 28.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Originally published on France24
