Lionel Mpasi says pride has quickly overtaken the disappointment of DR Congo’s World Cup elimination by England, insisting the Leopards’ run has lifted an entire nation and must mark only the beginning for Congolese football.
Beaten late on after leading 1-0 and matching England for more than 70 minutes, the 28-year-old goalkeeper admits the defeat was painful – but not the defining feeling.
“The disappointment was there,” he told Foot Mercato, “but it was mostly pride that took over.” Mpasi says he has sensed, “even in the street”, how strongly DR Congo’s performances have resonated with Congolese people around the world.
England test caps dream World Cup for Mpasi
Up against Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, Mpasi produced the kind of display he says every young goalkeeper dreams of, stringing together a series of saves before England’s experience finally told.
“I tried to do my job well and it held for 70 minutes,” he explained, adding that fatigue and the quality of the opposition shifted the match in the closing stages. DR Congo’s late collapse, after leading and holding their own until the final quarter of an hour, remains a particular source of frustration for him.
For Mpasi, the World Cup campaign reflected the broader identity the team has forged since Sebastien Desabre took charge. DR Congo snatched an unlikely draw against Portugal, defended doggedly versus Colombia and edged past Uzbekistan in a tense qualification tie.
“We start slowly, we go behind, but we never give up,” Mpasi said, describing that resilience as the hallmark of this generation of Leopards.
Bakambu’s speech and a 52-year wait
The most powerful moment of the tournament for Mpasi came not on the pitch but in the dressing room, after elimination, when Cedric Bakambu – usually reserved in such settings – chose to address the squad.
“I’m proud of you, guys,” the forward told his team-mates in an emotional speech that Mpasi sees as the conclusion of an adventure that began long before the opening match and 52 years after DR Congo’s previous World Cup appearance.
Mpasi is adamant this run must not be seen as the end of a cycle. “This World Cup will inevitably bring changes, and we hope it does,” he said, repeating his desire to see “the football congolais continue de grandir”. In his view, the tournament is only one stage in a wider rebuilding of football in DR Congo.
‘A choice of the heart’ and a late rise with the Leopards
Paris-born and developed at Paris Saint-Germain, Mpasi represented France at youth level but says there was no hesitation when DR Congo called while he was at Rodez.
“I made a choice of the heart,” he said, recalling that his mother had been sceptical at first but is now, he adds with a smile, “the first one delighted with my decision”.
Now capped 32 times and an undisputed first choice, Mpasi describes a career built on patience: four years as the number two goalkeeper at Rodez before establishing himself, then time as a back-up when he first joined the DR Congo set-up.
His competitive debut for the Leopards came in June 2023 against Gabon, at a moment of crisis during a difficult qualification campaign for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. “From the moment the coach put me on the pitch, I had to be good,” he recalled. “I was.”
Call to dual nationals and Desabre’s hard line
Mpasi is full of praise for the impact of dual-nationality players such as Samuel Moutoussamy and, more recently, Sadiki, Mukau and Mbuku. He also issued a clear invitation to others still weighing up their options.
“We also have the right to see our country shine at the World Cup,” he said. “Don’t hesitate, come, and we will welcome you with open arms!”
He credits French coach Sebastien Desabre with transforming the mindset of a squad that had struggled even in friendly matches before his arrival. Mpasi remembers a blunt first team meeting in which Desabre told the players: “You don’t realise, do you?”
Since then, stricter rules have governed the squad, including financial penalties or exclusion for disciplinary breaches – a policy that has already seen several previously regular internationals fall out of the picture.
That renewed discipline helped carry DR Congo through a dramatic play-off against Nigeria, won 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Mpasi revealed he suggested to Desabre that the team should keep a substitution in reserve in order to bring on back-up goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu for the shootout.
“It was my idea,” he said. “Thanks to him for listening to me.”
Fighting for minutes at Le Havre
Mpasi also reflected on his first season in Ligue 1 with Le Havre. He arrived as understudy to Mory Diaw and had to wait until 18 January, against Rennes, for his first minutes in France’s top flight.
He speaks warmly of head coach Didier Digard, whom he had followed closely during Digard’s playing days at Paris Saint-Germain, and is pleased the coach recently extended his stay with the Normandy club.
Mpasi describes his relationship with Diaw as “perfect”, despite their careers intersecting repeatedly – from the PSG academy to Rodez and now Le Havre. He believes that mutual understanding was a key factor in Le Havre securing survival on the final day of the 34-game season, when Diaw saved a crucial penalty against Lorient.
With one year left on his contract, Mpasi says regular football will be his priority, whether at Le Havre or elsewhere. He notes that the club is entering a period of transition, with several senior figures departing, including sporting director Matthieu Bodmer.
Eyes on 2027 and an ‘ultimate dream’
Looking ahead with DR Congo, Mpasi is already targeting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Leopards will arrive with a different status after their World Cup journey. He stops short of calling them favourites but wants progress.
He hopes to “do better than in the last two competitions” and is clear about the pinnacle he is chasing.
“Winning a CAN with Congo, that’s my ultimate dream,” he said.
