The Democratic Republic of the Congo began their World Cup qualification campaign with a 2-0 home win over Mauritania on November 16, 2023. Playing at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa, the Leopards secured a vital three points in front of their passionate supporters. After a tense first half, the DR Congo broke the deadlock early in the second period and doubled their lead from the penalty spot to confirm the match result. The victory gave the DR Congo the perfect start in a competitive Group B, applying early pressure on the other contenders. For Mauritania, the away defeat was a tough start but not a fatal blow in the long qualification process. The DR Congo manager emphasized the importance of winning home games, and the Mauritania coach focused on the need to learn from the experience.