DR Congo captain Lomana LuaLua revealed that he and his teammates had agreed to boycott their opening match against Togo on Saturday due to a pay dispute with team officials but decided otherwise after receiving a call from DR Congo president Joseph Kabila.

"I spoke to him (Kabila) 15 minutes before the game," LuaLua was quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "He told us to really do well and that he would sort things out.”

“The president gave his word and I'm sure he won't let us down.”

The team players were not only persuaded by the president’s phone call, but they went on to defeat World Cup-bound Togo 2-0 in their opening match in the African Cup.

LuaLua also acknowledged DR Congo coach Claude le Roy’s support for the team through the period prior to the Cup that was marked with the pay problems.

“We know how much it means to our people back home and we can't let down the people who have spent their money to travel here," added LuaLua.

DR Congo occupy the second spot in Group B with three points, trailing Cameroon by goal difference.