The Democratic Republic of Congo have named a strong starting XI for their international friendly against Madagascar, with Chancel Mbemba and Yoane Wissa among the key names in Sébastien Desabre’s line-up.
Following a narrow 1-0 victory over Mali on Thursday, the Leopards return to action on Sunday looking to build momentum during the June international break.
Desabre has opted for a blend of experience and attacking flair in his selection, with Mbemba once again taking up his familiar role at the heart of defence.
The Olympique de Marseille centre-back will marshal a backline that includes Kapuadi, Bishiri, and Kayembe, while goalkeeper Lionel Fayulu gets the nod between the posts.
The defensive unit will be tasked with containing a Madagascar side known for its pace on the counterattack.
In midfield, the pairing of Samuel Moutoussamy and Charles Pickel has been chosen to provide balance and control.
Their roles will be crucial in maintaining possession and dictating the rhythm of play, offering a stable platform for the attacking trio ahead of them.
Further forward, Desabre has placed his trust in Brentford’s Yoane Wissa and Braga’s Simon Banza to spearhead the attack.
The duo will be expected to inject pace and creativity into the Congolese front line.
They will be supported by Nathanaël Mbuku, who completes the offensive trident and will likely operate from a wider role.
Speaking before the match, Desabre emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency across the international window.
The win over Mali provided a confidence boost, and the fixture against Madagascar is seen as another opportunity to refine tactics and assess squad depth ahead of future competitive fixtures.
DR Congo’s starting XI for the match against Madagascar is as follows: Fayulu; Kapuadi, Bishiri, Mbemba, Kayembe; Sadiki, Moutoussamy, Pickel; Mbuku, Wissa, Banza.
With the coach looking to solidify his core squad ahead of upcoming qualifiers, all eyes will be on how this group performs in Antananarivo.
The Leopards are aiming to build continuity and cohesion, and a strong performance against Madagascar would mark another step in their preparations for more significant challenges ahead.
