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3d ago

DR Congo Arrives in Houston Wearing Leopard‑Embellished Suits for World Cup Return

Produced in the DRC to support local artisans, the leopard‑embellished suits showcase La Sape, signal national resilience, precede the team's opening match

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Collage of two images. The left image shows two men in black suits with leopard print details and sunglasses. The right image shows a man in a green and beige outfit with sunglasses, smiling.
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Overview

  • The DR Congo national team landed in Houston earlier this week, stepping off planes on Thursday and Friday in custom black suits trimmed with leopard print and matching travel bags.
  • Designer Alvin Junior Mak of JMAKxPARIS created the 55 suits and accessories after the DRC Ministry of Sports selected his proposal and arranged production in Congo to provide local work.
  • The team's pre-tournament plan changed after an Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC, forcing a shift to a Belgium base where the squad completed a mandated 21-day isolation and training period.
  • Large numbers of Congolese diaspora fans greeted the players at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, turning arrivals into a homecoming‑style celebration that drew wide media attention.
  • The Leopards open their World Cup campaign against Portugal on June 17, a return to football's biggest stage for the DRC for the first time since 1974 and a moment tied to broader cultural and economic displays of national identity.