Facing Guinea this Saturday in the qualifiers for the CAN 2025, Sébastien Desabre’s squad will have the opportunity to secure their top spot in Group H. This is another milestone for the Leopards, who have already qualified for the upcoming Moroccan edition and have shown significant progress over the last two years following a lengthy period of uncertainty. Here’s a closer look at the renaissance of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is roaring back to life. After spending years in near anonymity, the Leopards are gradually reemerging as a significant force in African Football. The performances of Chancel Mbemba and his teammates in recent months highlight a real transformation within the national team of Congo-Kinshasa, following a tumultuous period characterized by governance issues within the Federation (FECOFA) and key players who had given up hope of wearing the blue, yellow, and red jersey.
To understand how this team has embarked on its revolution, we must look back to 2022. After being eliminated by Morocco in the World Cup play-offs and struggling in the qualifiers for the CAN 2023, the DRC found itself in a precarious position. FECOFA, then under a normalization committee appointed by FIFA following the departure of its president Constant Omari, parted ways with Héctor Cúper, who had been at the Congolese helm since 2021. In his place, the Federation called upon Sébastien Desabre, who made the move from Niort to Kinshasa. Upon his arrival, the French coach immediately made his ambitions clear. “Desabre aimed for qualification for the CAN in Morocco. His predecessor had left at a time when the DRC was out of contention for the CAN in Ivory Coast (two defeats after two matchdays in qualifying). When Desabre arrived, he was seen as a stranger who inspired little hope, despite his track record with Uganda,” explained Emery Kabongo, editor-in-chief of Léopards Football Leader.
Read more:
Lyon Faces Relegation Threat as Financial Woes Mount
Simultaneously, the new Congolese head coach sought to persuade some key figures, including Cédric Bakambu, to return and represent their country. The second highest goalscorer in DRC history had retired from international duty following the heavy defeat against Morocco (1-4) mentioned earlier. However, to embark on a new cycle, Desabre aimed to rely on experienced players to support his squad. After several discussions with the former Marseille player, the 48-year-old coach succeeded in persuading him to reverse his decision in March 2023. Yet, Bakambu’s return is only one step in the coach’s broader vision. To breathe new life into the team, Desabre wants to distance himself from his predecessors and incorporate more dual-nationality players. This idea was further motivated by the state of the local league. “We could no longer rely solely on players from the local league, which has not been consistent for several years. Many Congolese footballers have gone abroad to perform in better conditions. It’s very challenging to depend on these players playing domestically, and Desabre understood this,” noted Kabongo.
Read more:
Pogba Confirmed for MLS Move!
When not on international duty, Desabre actively engages with several players who have passed through youth setups in European nations to convince them to join the national team. He successfully attracted Lionel Mpasi, Dimitri Bertaud, Dylan Batubinsika, Simon Banza (France), Joris Kayembe (Belgium), and Charles Pickel (Switzerland), pairing them with veterans like Mbemba, Kalulu, Kakuta, Wissa, and Bakambu. Together, they achieved four consecutive victories during the CAN qualifiers, securing their spot for the Ivorian edition. “They have a significant commitment. They have injected new energy into the team. I have nothing against local players, but we must acknowledge that the dual nationals have played a major role in the DRC’s success,” remarked Kabongo.
Read more:
Saint-Georges-de-Didonne: Kauri Hillairet, a Promising Young Champion
Reaching the Ivory Coast was never in Desabre’s or the DRC’s plans. Yet, they accomplished it and without any intention of joking around. Finishing second in their group behind Morocco, the DRC eliminated Egypt in the Round of 16 before defeating Guinea in the quarter-finals. They ultimately fell short of the final against the Ivorians and were defeated by South Africa for third place. This surprising run allowed the Congolese people to reconnect with their national team. “No one expected us to make it to Ivory Coast. Personally, I knew there was the possibility for a breakthrough. But not to this extent. In the dynamics of each match, the level exhibited by each player, the unity among them… Emery Kabongo expressed joy, even admitting to a few regrets. In the semi-finals, there was room for improvement. Perhaps it was one of the worst matches for the DRC during this CAN. However, this team has come a long way. So, we must be satisfied and proud of that.
Read more:
Stéphan Costs Rennes Dearly, David Attracts Interest From Bayern Munich, Bulka’s Nightmare for Poland
Since then, the Democratic Republic of Congo has continued to earn good results. While struggling in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup (currently third in Group B), the opposite is true in the CAN qualifiers for Morocco. Four matches, four victories, six goals scored, none conceded – boasting the best defense alongside Egypt – and, most importantly, already securing a ticket to Rabat. Everything is going smoothly for Desabre and his team. The French coach even believes he can chase the Africa Cup on Moroccan soil. “Reaching the semi-final of the CAN isn’t the same as winning it. We want to win the Africa Cup of Nations; that’s what we’re after,” he stated in a press conference on November 8.
Kabongo deems this objective “premature,” despite the newfound status of the national team, which he considers “one of the best in Africa at the moment.” “In terms of results, yes. However, the coach won’t admit it, but since the CAN, the style of play hasn’t been that spectacular. We missed an international break (in March), the team remained on its momentum for results, but the content has regressed and that needs to change. Besides that, they are being taken seriously and instill fear in other teams. This Saturday night against Guinea, the Leopards will rely on fresh talent like Nathanaël Mbuku (Dinamo Zagreb), Noah Sadiki (Union St-Gilloise), Oscar Kabwit (TP Mazembe), and Ngal’ayel Mukau (LOSC) to secure the top of Group H. They will conclude these qualifiers against Ethiopia on November 19. Focusing on continuity, Sébastien Desabre is expected to maintain his squad almost entirely unchanged until they head to Morocco, where he hopes to secure the nation’s third CAN title, which has endured silently.
Related News :