Having come to CAN 2024 initially to gauge themselves, the DR Congo ended up believing in it thanks to their string of performances. But the defeat against Ivory Coast in the semi-final put an end to hopes of a third title, 50 years after the last one won by the Leopards.

Read alsoCAN 2024: Haller takes on DR Congo and takes Ivory Coast to the final

Obviously, there was great disappointment when leaving the locker room, at the microphone of France 24:

"We knew it was going to be one of the most complicated matches of the competition, with the Ivorians playing at home, in front of their crowd. We didn't miss much this evening," goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi wants to believe.

Charles Pickel appeared particularly dejected, distraught when he spoke about his disappointment: "This defeat hurts a lot. We are very sad. Two steps and you are champion, and now you are here, with nothing. That It hurts a lot,” explains the midfielder, with a lump in his throat.

The Congolese had difficulty thinking about the rest and in particular the match for third place, which will pit the Leopards on Saturday February 10 against South Africa, who fell to Nigeria earlier in the day.

Read alsoNigeria - Ivory Coast: performances and journey of the CAN finalists

Looking up

But several senior players have on the contrary called for raising their heads: “We played our card today. We are keeping our heads high,” declared captain Chancel Mbemba. "The best win. We're going to prepare. We're waiting for the South Africans on Saturday."

“It would be good to validate this course,” calls striker Cédric Bakambu. "We've been here for more than a month. We've shown good things. It's not because we lost tonight that we have to throw everything in the trash. I have confidence in my partners . We will fight in the next match to win."

“I think the Congolese are proud of us,” said Lionel #Mpasi, despite the defeat of #DRCongo 🇨🇩 against #CôteDIvoire 🇨🇮.



📹 @MiaMth and @RHoueix #CIVRDC #CAN2023 #CAN2024 #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/MfjisN5EiS

— FRANCE 24 Français (@France24_fr) February 7, 2024

“There is a good third place to be had and then we will concentrate on the objectives that are coming,” Lionel Mpasi wants to believe. “As we have been doing since the coach arrived, we will continue to work quietly in our corner and try to progress.”

Indeed, coach Sébastien Desabre had warned, when taking control of the DR Congo, that he was targeting CAN 2025 and qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The Congolese can be proud, they are two years ahead.

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