Ex-Super Eagles midfielder sends cute message to DR Congo after World Cup qualification

Former Super Eagles and Esperance winger Garba Lawal has urged DR Congo to hoist the African flag high after qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Afrik Foot reports.

Sebastien Desabre’s side defeated Cameroon and Nigeria at the African play-offs in November 2025.

While the Nigerian Football Federation filed a complaint over the ineligibility of the Congolese players holding dual nationalities, FIFA declined their appeal, giving Congo the go-ahead to partake in the International play-offs last month.

A slender 1-0 win against Jamaica, courtesy of a 100th-minute Axel Tuanzebe goal, sent DR Congo to their first World Cup appearance since 1974.

Garba Lawal sends DR Congo cute World Cup message

The ex-Julius Berger winger represented the Super Eagles at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, starting all five games, providing two assists.

In an interview with Footy Africa, Garba Lawal backed the Congolese team to cause some huge upsets when the tournament kicks off.

“Whether they go further or not, the most important thing is for them to go and enjoy themselves.

“They are not the favorites. They should go there calmly and showcase their talents,” the 51-year-old said.

World Cup is the biggest tournament, and many big teams won’t be part of it. Italy lost on penalties and, uh, also Denmark lost on penalties.

“So you can see the pain on these players’ faces because they believe, some of them believe this is their last chance.

“World Cup happens every four years. That’s why you see players crying when they don’t make the World Cup, when they don’t make the team. So, I think it’s a good one for DR Congo to be there.

“Well, whether they get out of the group or not, the most important is for them to go and enjoy themselves. They are not the favorites.

“So I believe they should not deceive themselves. They should go there calm and, and showcase their talents. There should be no pressure on them. Nobody will put an eye on them because they are like newcomers in the World Cup,” Lawal continued.

However, the former Roda JC midfielder tipped nations like Senegal and Morocco to go further in the tournament, while lamenting the Super Eagles’ absence.

​”I believe the top five or six countries. I expect them to go far. Most especially Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, and Tunisia. I expect them to go far because of the quality players they have.

​”It’s just unfortunate that the Super Eagles will not be there. I think the whole world will miss us.

​”Even FIFA wants us to qualify. It helps sell the image, the jerseys, the tickets. We will miss that.

“Playing at the World Cup is the highest level in football that you can reach. That is where the top, top players showcase their talent,” Garba Lawal concluded.

The Super Eagles will face Poland and Portugal during the June International break, just before the start of the World Cup.