By Wedaeli Chibelushi u2014 BBC
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have declared Wednesday a public holiday after the national football team qualified for their first World Cup in 52 years.
The Leopards reached the finals on Tuesday when Axel Tuanzebeu2019s extra-time goal gave them a 1-0 win over Jamaica in the play-off.
DR Congou2019s ministry of labour and employment said that as a result of the u201chistoricu201d victory, the nation could have the day off work to u201ccelebrate in unity, fervour and national prideu201d.
The central African nation has only played in the World Cup once beforeu2014in 1974 when the country was named Zaire.
Numerous employers honoured the holiday on Wednesday, with many banks and shops shut throughout the day in the capital, Kinshasa. However some employers proceeded with the work day as normal as the announcementu2014made at approximately 08:00 local time (07:00 GMT)u2014came at such short notice.
Tuesdayu2019s match was an intense affair, with former Manchester United player Tuanzebe only breaking the deadlock in the 100th minute.
Elated football fans celebrated in Kinshasa after the teamu2019s victory was confirmed just before 01:00 local time on Wednesday morning.
One supporter told the BBC: u201cWhatever we may be feeling at the moment, amidst pain and war and occupation, this victory makes us proud… I feel so emotional and happy.u201d
DR Congo has been battered by decades of conflict. The fighting escalated early last year when the M23 rebel group captured swathes of territory in the countryu2019s east.
Although neighbouring Rwanda is widely believed to be supporting the M23 and the two countriesu2019 leaders have exchanged bitter insults in recent years, Rwandau2019s government has congratulated DR Congo on qualifying.
Deputy government spokesperson Jean Maurice Uwera said in a post on X: u201cLeopards stepping up for Africa! Congratulations DR Congo, go make the continent proud on the world stage.u201d
In the Kinshasa neighbourhood of Kingabwa, some fans took to the streets chanting: u201cChristiano Ronaldo is nextu201d. DR Congou2019s first match will be against Ronaldou2019s Portugal in the US city of Houston on 17 June. They will also play Colombia and Uzbekistan in the group stages.
DR Congo are the 10th African nation to reach this yearu2019s expanded World Cup finals, jointly hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
Born in Bunia, a city hit by the ongoing conflict, Tuanzebe said Tuesday nightu2019s goal was u201cwithout a doubt the most importantu201d of his career.
u201cIu2019m so grateful to have scored that goal for the team, for the nation. I realise the magnitude of what it represents and the joy it brings to people.u201d