By Rachel Ndjondjo
By Rachel Ndjondjo
On Wednesday, June 17, the Aura Sports Grill in Portland was buzzing with the colors of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Members of Maine’s Congolese community had gathered to watch the Leopards’ match against Portugal during the 2026 World Cup. United by their passion for soccer and their attachment to their home country, they shared an evening rich in emotion, chants and hope.
A few days later, their enthusiasm gave way to some disappointment following the DRC’s 1-0 defeat to Colombia. But this setback did not break their confidence. Thanks to a stunning 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan, the Leopards secured a historic qualification for the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.
The event, organized by Portland Maine Congolese Leaders, aimed to bring members of Maine’s Congolese community together around their national team. For several participants, it was also an opportunity to reconnect with compatriots they rarely see and strengthen solidarity within the Congolese diaspora.
Even before kickoff, the atmosphere was already lively. Families, youths and elders shared a meal while discussing the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. Some wore the Leopards’ jersey, while others were draped in the Congolese flag. Conversations revolved around the DRC’s World Cup journey, memories of past competitions and the hope of seeing the Leopards shine on the world stage.
For Papy Bongibo, the event’s organizer, the initiative responded to a real need for connection among Congolese people living in Maine.
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“I had this idea for the match. I said to myself, given that there are so many of us here, why not organize something so we can meet up? Not everyone can go to Houston to see the match live. So, we decided to create this event here to share this moment together,” he said.
According to Bongibo, soccer is above all a way to forge ties and strengthen the sense of belonging to a shared community.
“It was also an opportunity to get to know one another. A lot of people live in the same state without really crossing paths. This event brought us together around a common passion. And fortunately, that is exactly what happened. People chatted, exchanged ideas and had a great time together. Our players brought us even more joy. The match ended in an incredible atmosphere. I was thrilled to see so many smiles and so much joy because our community really needs these moments. We are far from home, and these occasions strengthen our bonds.”
Throughout the match against Portugal, supporters cheered every Leopards attack and celebrated each defensive stop. Applause, chants and encouragement transformed the restaurant into a genuine fan zone. For a few hours, the distance separating them from their homeland seemed to disappear.
Enock Lokolo, one of the participants, said he was especially happy to see so many Congolese people gathered to support their national team.
“I am truly delighted. This allowed us to get together and experience this match in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. A big thank you to Papy Bongibo for thinking of us. This kind of event brings us closer, helps us get to know each other better and strengthens our ties. Today, it was magnificent to see the Congolese people together, celebrating our country.”
For those present, the evening illustrated the important role sports can play in maintaining ties within the diaspora. Beyond the outcome of the match, many expressed a desire to continue organizing similar gatherings for future Leopards matches and other community events.
A week later, all eyes were on Guadalajara, Mexico, where the DRC faced Colombia in its second Group K match. After an impressive performance against Portugal, the Leopards hoped to move closer to the Round of 16.
The match was closely contested. Colombia controlled much of the early play, but the DRC’s disciplined defense held firm. Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi made several outstanding saves to keep the game scoreless at halftime.
The Leopards created several promising opportunities after the break but were unable to capitalize. The decisive moment came in the 76th minute when Daniel Muñoz scored the game’s only goal. Despite a late push that included two consecutive corner kicks during stoppage time, DR Congo was unable to find an equalizer. Colombia advanced to the knockout stage with six points.
The Leopards rebounded with an impressive 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan to claim the second qualifying spot in Group K, setting up a Round of 16 matchup against England.
Their historic World Cup campaign came to an end in the knockout stage after a hard-fought loss to England. Although the defeat ended the Leopards’ tournament, supporters praised the team for reaching the Round of 16 for the first time and representing the Democratic Republic of Congo on the world’s biggest soccer stage.
In Portland, members of the Congolese community continued to follow the team’s journey with pride until the final whistle. While many had hoped for another memorable upset against England, they said the Leopards’ historic run had already united Congolese families across Maine and created lasting memories.
For many in the diaspora, the World Cup was about more than results. The gatherings demonstrated the vitality of Maine’s Congolese community and its enduring connection to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a bond strengthened through sport and shared national pride.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the early July 2026 print edition of Amjambo Africa.
