DR Congo name 37-man squad for busy September-October international window

DR Congo have named 37 players in two separate squads for a demanding first international break of the 2026-27 season, with the Leopards scheduled to play four matches in 12 days.

Sebastien Desabre’s side will return to action two months after the 2026 World Cup, with the international window running from 21 September to 6 October.

The first group will begin their campaign with a meeting against Equatorial Guinea in Kinshasa on 24 September, before travelling to Harare to face Zimbabwe on 28 September. Both matches are the opening two fixtures in their qualifying campaign for CAN 2027.

That squad will also feature in a two-match friendly series against Uganda on 2 and 5 October.

Several players expected to receive their first call-ups have been included. Kevin Pedro (Saint-Etienne), Jordy Makengo (Fribourg), Willy Kambwala (Como), Noah Mbamba (Lorient), Ezechiel Banzuzi (Leipzig) and Stanis Idumbo (Monaco) are all selected, as is Afimico Pululu (Al-Hazem), who was among the preliminary choices for the World Cup but did not make the final squad.

The second contingent will be used for the Uganda fixtures and does not include most of the senior players. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Arthur Masuaku, Axel Tuanzebe, Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Nathanael Mbuku, Brian Cipenga, Meschack Elia, Theo Bongonda, Yoane Wissa, Simon Banza and Fiston Mayele have all been left out of those appointments.

Mayele remains part of Desabre’s plans despite his move to Libya.

Captain Chancel Mbemba is among the experienced players retained for the second group, alongside regular internationals Gedeon Kalulu, Joris Kayembe, Steve Kapuadi, Dylan Batubinsika and Noah Sadiki. They will join a total of 14 new faces.

As well as the players already mentioned, Jorthy Mokio (Ajax), Brandon Ndezi (Dijon, formerly France), Paris Maghoma (Norwich, formerly England), Stephy Mavididi (Watford), Junior Kadile (Lens) and Anthony Musaba (Norwich) have been given an opportunity to impress.

The selection represents Desabre’s attempt to introduce younger players to a group that appears to be approaching the end of a cycle.

There are also two attacking returns. Jackson Muleka (Konyaspor) has been recalled after a year away from the squad, having last been selected in October 2025. Samuel Essende (Young Boys) is also back after previously being left out following CAN 2025.

In goal, Dimitry Bertaud returns to international duty. He forms a three-man goalkeeper group with local player Nathan Ndibu of Les Aigles du Congo, who has received his first call-up, and World Cup goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo.

Lionel Mpasi misses the window because of injury.