The battle for the starting place in the Leopards’ goals can fall this Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Dimitry Bertaud, Lionel Mpasi and Timothy Fayulu, all three, are equal. This fierce competition is also perceived as a collective force, according to the actors themselves.
Since the third place match of the last CAN, lost to South Africa on penalties, Dimitry Bertaud has established himself in the Congolese cages. The Montpellier goalkeeper had five consecutive clean sheets before conceding a goal against Guinea last Saturday. This impressive series allowed him to maintain his place in the hierarchy.
However, the meeting against Guinea marked a small oil spot in his rise, well author of an impeccable match. According to the indications of coach Sébastien Desabre, Bertaud should give up his place tomorrow against the Walya of Ethiopia, in a match where many changes are planned. An opportunity for one of Lionel Mpasi or Timothy Fayulu to surely shine.
Lionel Mpasi (15 selection), former indisputable starter during the Leopards’ Ivorian epic, saw his rise halted by an injury which sidelined him for five months after the last CAN. Today, the Rodez AF goalkeeper is working hard to regain his status and clearly appreciates the group dynamic established within the den.
“There are three of us fighting for a place, but the competition is very healthy. This pushes the DRC to be among the African top in terms of goalkeepers. Seeing Dimitry succeed with his clean sheets motivates us to work even harder in training,” he told our microphone.
Thimothy Fayulu, remains in ambush. Joël Kiassumbwa’s understudy under Chritian N’sengi, the Zion enthusiast in Swiss D2 has never been established since. Tomorrow, it finally heralds its hour. His patience will have been long: between his comeback in June and his stay ended with bad memories with the Nanti U21s, Fayulu will taste the delights of his premature choice for the DRC which he chose when he was 18 in 2018. first among the U20s.
The match against Ethiopia, which will mark the end of the Leopards’ campaign in these qualifications, could offer a glimpse of possible alternatives and strengthen the confidence of the young people in Desabre’s group who have not yet had the opportunity to shine.
Jenovic Lumbuenadio
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