DR Congo Fans Unleash Blue Madness In CHAN 2024 Victory Party

An hour before kick-off, Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani was already vibrating with colour, music and anticipation.

Over an estimated 3,000 DR Congo fans had taken their seats, draped in national flags, faces painted in blue, red and yellow, and voices primed for a night of football and pride.

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The scent of grilled meat from concession stands mixed with the rhythm of drums as pockets of supporters sang in unison.

For the Leopards’ African Nations Championship (CHAN) clash against Angola, the stadium stands became a living sea of Congolese colours.

Women in vibrant patterned dresses and beaded jewellery moved between rows, leading chants with smiles as dazzling as the flags they waved. Every few seconds, a song would rise from one section and ripple across the arena.

“This is more than football for us — it’s our culture, our unity,” said Tresor Image, clutching a replica Leopards jersey to his chest.

“When the team plays, we forget the pain for a while. We feel together again.”

That pain is never far from mind. Back home, in the mineral-rich east of DR Congo, the M23 rebellion and other armed groups have displaced millions, creating one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.

Yet, under the Nairobi night sky, this CHAN match offered an escape — a chance to cheer, sing, and believe.

The first half was tense, with both sides trading chances and the Leopards’ defence holding firm.

Then, in the 58th minute, Âgée Basiala’s pinpoint free-kick delivery found Jephté Kitambala, who rose highest to nod home.

The explosion of noise that followed shook the stadium — drinks flew into the air, strangers embraced, and the drumming reached a fever pitch.

“I’ve been to matches in Kinshasa — the feeling here is the same,” said James, waving his scarf high.

“It’s joy, pure joy. The war, the problems — for 90 minutes, we put them aside.”

Angola’s push for an equaliser was met with nervous shouts and frantic clapping from Congolese supporters, but the defence, marshalled by Osée Ndombele, stayed unshaken.

Then, in the 70th minute, Basiala struck again — this time from a corner — delivering for substitute Jonathan Mokonzi to head in the second goal. The celebration was deafening, a wall of sound that rolled around Kasarani in waves.

From then on, every pass and clearance was cheered like a goal. Women danced in the aisles with flags over their shoulders, children balanced on seats to wave banners, and the drummers never stopped.

It was a carnival in the stands, the rhythm of Kinshasa transplanted into Nairobi.

By the final whistle, DR Congo’s 2-0 victory had not only kept them in the Group A qualification race ahead of their decisive clash with Morocco — it had reaffirmed the unifying power of football.

“We didn’t just win a match,” Emmanuel said, still grinning as fans filed out into the night.

“We showed the world who we are. This is the Congo — beautiful, strong, and together.”