Yoane Wissa dedicated his historic World Cup brace to the victims of the humanitarian crisis in eastern DR Congo. Photo: IANS
Yoane Wissa dedicated his goals that sent the Democratic Republic of Congo into the knockout stages of the Fifa World Cup for the first time to those suffering back home from a humanitarian crisis caused by war.
Newcastle United striker Wissa scored twice in a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan to give the African side their first ever World Cup win and set up a meeting with England in the Round of 32 on Wednesday. Eastern Congo has been plagued for three decades by conflict involving a litany of armed groups.
DRC are also fighting an Ebola outbreak that has claimed more than 300 lives. But backed by thousands from the Congolese diaspora in Atlanta, the Leopards roared back from a goal down on Sunday morning to make history.
"We are a proud country. We are proud people. We love our country. We love our national team. We love what we represent!" Wissa said.
