Rocky On 'Dream Come True' World Cup Qualification

Rocky Bushiri fielded questions from the media at HTC on Friday afternoon, revealing his end-of-season targets and the "ultimate dream" of FIFA World Cup qualification. 

The centre-back played his part as DR Congo achieved World Cup qualification for the first time in 52 years - then competing as 'Zaire' - in late March.

Defeating African heavyweights Cameroon and Senegal was already a remarkable feat for DR Congo, but their spot in a group containing Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan was secured with an extra-time intercontinental play-off victory over Jamaica in Mexico. 

Speaking to the media, Rocky discussed the historic achievement and his own personal feelings regarding a "dream come true" qualification for this Summer's tournament in North America.

"(World Cup qualification) was the target for DR Congo. And I’m very grateful to be part of the group that has achieved going to the World Cup after 52 years. It is a dream come true.

"As a young footballer, when you start playing football, that is the ultimate dream. I hope to be part of the squad, I’m very grateful.

"It was amazing. One of the best feelings I’ve ever felt. It’s a project we started two or three years ago when the new manager (Sébastien Desabre) came in. He put the processes in place. One of the targets was going to AFCON, we did that and reached the semi-final. And now we have qualified for the World Cup.

"It’s our hard work and sacrifices behind it, while performing for your club otherwise you will not be a part of it. It’s a very good feeling.

"Playing as a senior international player is something extra in your career. You create memories and you have experiences you will be able to talk about later when you retire. It is something different you can’t explain.

"You meet boys from everywhere, playing in different countries, but you all come together for a short period of time to defend your country. You always go back, you stay connected. It keeps you connected to Africa, as you are here in Europe.

"Football is played in a different way, so every one brings a different experience from their own league to create something. That’s the beauty of it."

Rocky also touched on how an early career tutorship and Hibernian have helped him prepare for the pressures of combining club and international football. 

Former Chelsea and Real Madrid great Claude Makélélé - who was born in Zaire but reached the World Cup final with France in 2006 - mentored the Hibs defender during his loan stint at Belgian side, Eupen. 

"I had Makelele in the early stage of my career. It was something he helped me with. He told me you need to separate the pressure of defending your country and the pressure of defending your club.

"I have also the right people around me — and the Club here, who have always helped me, been hard on me and pushed me so I could manage to do both."

Following his return to Leith, the 26-year-old has made clear his priorities lie with Hibs - with the six remaining league fixtures taking precedence for now over the World Cup. 

"My target and my priorities are finishing as high as possible with Hibs," Rocky said.

"We are chasing the team in front of us. We want to play in Europe, because Europe is a similar feeling to internationals. That’s my target."