Last Updated:
DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre was informed of his father’s death moments after his side’s World Cup exit to England, bringing a heartbreaking end to a historic campaign.
DR Congo head coach Sebastien Desabre (AP)
DR Congo’s remarkable FIFA World Cup 2026 journey ended heartbreakingly on Wednesday, both on and off the pitch.
Having watched his side surrender a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 against England in the Round of 32, head coach Sebastien Desabre was dealt an even more devastating blow moments later when he was informed that his father had passed away.
The French manager had just begun addressing the media following the defeat when the Congolese press officer interrupted the press conference to deliver the tragic news.
The DR Congo coach 🇨🇩 Sébastien Desabre learned after his team’s match of the death of his father. 😢💔And this is how it was announced at the press conference… 😳pic.twitter.com/2XWtcw5tfR
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) July 1, 2026
“We would like to inform you that the coach has lost his father. Our condolences,” the press officer announced.
Desabre, who had initially been answering questions about the match, looked across in complete disbelief before quietly replying, “Thank you.” Clearly shaken and visibly emotional, he immediately stood up and walked out of the press conference.
The deeply personal tragedy cast a sombre shadow over what had otherwise been a landmark tournament for the Leopards.
DR Congo had stunned many by reaching the knockout stages in just their second-ever World Cup appearance and their first since 1974. Under Desabre, the African nation rewrote its football history, recording its first-ever World Cup goals, its maiden victory on the global stage and its first qualification for the knockout rounds.
On the match itself, the 49-year-old expressed pride despite the late collapse.
“We are disappointed because we believed in it. We played a good match. At the end of the match, we concede two situations and one of the best players in the world scores two goals against us. It’s a shame.
“You have to congratulate the players for what they showed. They gained a lot of experience playing against teams like that.”
About the Author
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His…Read More
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
