Football fans in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been waiting 52 years to return to the World Cup stage. Tuesday's intercontinental play-off final against Jamaica represents more than just a game - it's a chance to end a drought that stretches back to 1974 when Zaire made their only appearance. Victory would guarantee Africa a 10th representative at this year's tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the USA.

That 1974 campaign became infamous for the wrong reasons, including a 9-0 humiliation against Yugoslavia and right-back Mwepu Ilunga's bizarre decision to charge out of the defensive wall and boot the ball away during a Brazil free-kick. While Ilunga received a yellow card, the incident created a damaging impression about African football knowledge. Former goalkeeper Mohamed Kalambay insists 'we were not a bad team' and deserved their place at the tournament.

The current squad has been built through recruiting players from the diaspora, with 10 born in France, five in Belgium, and others from Switzerland and England. This strategy has proven successful, as evidenced by their journey through African qualifying. The Leopards now stand on the brink of creating their own iconic moments to banish the ghosts of 1974 and finally give DR Congo its place back on football's biggest stage.