In this 2021 Egypt World Cup, the Democratic Republic of Congo honored the first participation in its history in a world championship. A look back at this week of competition for Steeven Corneil and his teammates.
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After intensive preparation at Eaubonne, the Congolese selection then flew to Egypt. For its first participation in a world championship, the Democratic Republic of Congo joined the group of the defending champion, Denmark alongside Argentina and Bahrain. Our Angevin Steeven Corneil gives us his feelings:
“It is an honor and a privilege to be part of this nation and especially to enter into the history of the DRC. This is something that is not given to everyone and I would like to thank the staff of the DRC for allowing me to realize my dream which was to participate in a world championship. However, I am West Indian and thanks to this event, it allows me to represent my island (Guadeloupe), to be an example for all the young people there and to send a message saying that nothing is impossible in the life, you have to believe in your dreams and keep working to get there. “- Steeven Corneil
For its entry into the competition, the DR Congo faced the Argentina of the Simonet brothers. Despite a very good first half, the Congolese selection was left behind in the second act to finally bow logically (28-22). Two days later, the gap was too large against Denmark, the defending champion (39-19). Everything was going to be decided in the last group match against Bahrain since a victory was enough to reach the next round. This is not the case because the DRC bowed to Bahrain (34-27). With no victory in this group stage, the dream ends here for the African nation. Always in search of a victory, the DRC will be able to benefit a little more with the President’s Cup where it will face Angola and Tunisia. Cape Verde was to be their third opponent but Covid 19 decided otherwise.
The DRC will play its luck to the full, Steeven Corneil confirms this without forgetting to house his Angevin compatriots, Hafedh Boussaha and Issam Tej.
“The objective is to leave the World Cup on a good note for our first participation and why not go for the President’s Cup. Personally, we play against Tunisia on Saturday. I will give everything to get the victory like that, I will be able to room Issam and Hafedh on my way home! ”
Steeven Corneil’s daydream
Aware of what he is going through, Steeven Corneil takes advantage of every moment of this World Cup.
“Just EXTRAORDINARY because living this kind of event, rubbing shoulders with the best players in the world, meeting them in the hotel is just enormous. I don’t really have the words to describe it all! “ – Steeven Corneil
Holder on his right wing, Steeven Corneil contributed to the building by being effective in front of goal. He nevertheless remains lucid about the requirements of the international level.
“I’m correct, I don’t invent anything in my game, I do what I can do. By living this kind of experience, you realize that you are far from the international level, the requirement and the discipline that it is necessary to have to follow the matches every two days. It takes a lot of energy and you have to move on quickly. Also, recovery is very important because every day, you have to be at your best level since you play like you train. “- Steeven Corneil
The full program
Angola – DRC (Thursday January 21 – 6 p.m.)
Tunisia – DRC (Saturday 23 January – 6 p.m.)
DRC – Cape Verde (10-0 victory following the withdrawal of Cape Verde)
The Democratic Republic of Congo
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