The suspense surrounding the selection of players for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) will come to an end on December 27, as announced by head coach Sébastien Desabre through the official channels of the Congolese Football Federation.
The anticipation for the AFCON squad has been building, with fans eagerly awaiting the revelation of the players who will represent the Leopards in the prestigious tournament.
The announcement is expected to provide insights into the strategic choices made by Desabre as he finalizes the roster for the upcoming competition.
Barring any major surprises, it is anticipated that the squad will closely resemble the one unveiled for recent matches against Mauritania on November 15 and Sudan on November 19.
However, there is a glimmer of possibility regarding the inclusion of Manchester United’s right-back, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has left the door open to representing his country of origin.
The Leopards will commence their AFCON 2023 journey with a match against Zambia on January 17, followed by challenging fixtures against Walid Regragui’s Morocco on January 21 and Tanzania on January 24 to conclude the group stages.
The group is considered fairly open, with the Atlas Lions being the favorites. DR Congo, along with Zambia, is perceived as one of the group’s dark horses, while Tanzania is not to be underestimated.
The November qualifiers for the World Cup 2026 saw the Leopards securing a victory against Mauritania (2-0) with goals from Yoane Wissa and Theo Bongonda, but they faced a setback with a 1-0 loss to Sudan.
The mixed results highlight the challenges faced by the team, and a strong start against Zambia in January is crucial to building confidence for the AFCON tournament.
As the AFCON squad announcement draws near, fans and football enthusiasts eagerly await the unveiling of the Leopards’ roster, hoping for a competitive and successful campaign in the upcoming tournament.
