DR Congo suffer Willy Kambwala injury blow ahead of Sierra Leone double-header

DR Congo have suffered a significant setback ahead of their upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Sierra Leone after defender Willy Kambwala was ruled out through injury.

The 22-year-old centre-back had initially been included in Sébastien Desabre’s squad for the third and fourth rounds of the qualifying campaign but will now miss both encounters after picking up an injury that has made him unavailable for selection.

Kambwala, who currently plays for Italian Serie A side Como, was expected to provide defensive reinforcement for the Leopards as they prepare for two important fixtures against Sierra Leone.

However, his injury has forced the Congolese technical team to make changes to their squad just days before the first meeting, leaving Desabre without one of his originally selected defensive options.

In response to the setback, the French tactician has turned to the domestic league for a replacement, handing a call-up to TP Mazembe defender Magloire Ntambwe Kalonji.

The 22-year-old will now have the opportunity to join the national team setup and strengthen the defensive department as DR Congo prepare for the demanding double-header.

His inclusion represents an opportunity to impress Desabre and demonstrate his ability to compete at international level, particularly with the Leopards looking to maintain their strong start to the qualifying campaign.

Despite the absence of Kambwala, DR Congo will approach the two encounters with considerable confidence after making an impressive start to their Group E campaign.

The Leopards currently sit at the top of the group after winning their opening two matches, putting themselves in a strong position as they pursue qualification for the 2027 AFCON tournament.

They will now be looking to extend their winning run against Sierra Leone, with maximum points from the two fixtures potentially strengthening their grip on the group standings.

The first encounter is scheduled for November 12, with the return fixture taking place on November 17.

For Desabre, the immediate challenge will be to reorganise his defensive options following Kambwala’s withdrawal while ensuring that the team maintains the organisation and consistency that have characterised their impressive start.

DR Congo are targeting another appearance at the continental showpiece, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in 2027. The Leopards will therefore be determined to avoid any slip-ups as they continue their qualification campaign.