Gaël Kakuta has etched his name into DR Congo’s Africa Cup of Nations history, becoming the first Congolese player to score a brace at the tournament since Cédric Bakambu last achieved the feat against Zimbabwe in June 2019. In a competition where moments are often fleeting, Kakuta delivered one that resonated with both history and expectation.
The performance was a reminder of Kakuta’s enduring quality on the continental stage. Calm in execution and sharp in decision making, he led from the front, shouldering responsibility and turning pressure into purpose. His two goals not only powered DR Congo forward but also ended a long wait for a milestone that had eluded the nation for several AFCON editions.
Bakambu’s brace years ago had stood as a reference point for attacking excellence from DR Congo. Kakuta now joins that conversation, offering a symbolic bridge between generations and reaffirming the country’s attacking pedigree. It was a night that spoke of belief returning and standards being reasserted.
For DR Congo, this was more than just a statistical landmark. It was a statement of intent. With Kakuta writing himself into the AFCON narrative, the Leopards once again have a talisman capable of delivering when it matters most, and of reminding Africa that their history is never far from being renewed.