DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi suffers serious injury ahead of AFCON 2027 qualifiers

DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi suffered a serious injury during Le Havre AC’s match against Brest on Saturday, raising concerns over his availability for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Mpasi started the match but was forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher deep into stoppage time after suffering an injury that immediately sparked fears of a serious Achilles tendon problem.

The DR Congo international was unable to continue and required medical attention before being carried off the field, with the nature of the injury leaving both Le Havre and the Congolese national team concerned.

Le Havre head coach Didier Digard admitted after the match that the initial signs were worrying, although the goalkeeper will need to undergo further examinations before the full extent of the injury can be confirmed.

“It doesn’t look good. He’s likely to be out for a long time. We’ll have to wait for the scans, but yes, apparently it’s the Achilles tendon,” Digard said.

If the suspected Achilles tendon injury is confirmed, Mpasi could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines, which would be a major setback for both his club and country.

The timing could hardly be worse for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the Leopards preparing to begin their campaign in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

DR Congo are expected to rely on their key players as they begin their bid to secure a place at the continental tournament, but Mpasi’s potential absence could leave head coach Sébastien Desabre with an important decision to make in goal.

Mpasi has established himself as an important figure for the national team and has regularly been involved in the squad, making his potential absence particularly significant ahead of the qualifiers.

Le Havre will also be hoping that the initial fears prove to be less serious than anticipated, although an Achilles injury would represent a significant blow to the French club.

The goalkeeper and his club are now waiting for the results of medical scans that will determine the exact nature of the injury and provide a clearer indication of how long he could be unavailable.

Until those examinations are completed, the full extent of the setback remains unknown. However, with the 2027 AFCON qualifiers approaching, both Le Havre and DR Congo will be anxiously awaiting the medical assessment of their first-choice goalkeeper.