Congo Begin Training Ahead of Crucial AFCON Qualifiers
By BBC Sport Africa | Brazzaville
The Republic of Congo’s national team has begun preparations for their final two matches in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with a training camp underway in Brazzaville.
Following a home defeat and a hard-earned point away to South Africa in Polokwane, the Red Devils have regrouped under assistant coach Isaac Ngata. With domestic football on hold due to the suspension of the Elite 1 championship, the national side launched their training sessions this Tuesday to maintain player fitness and cohesion.
The initial camp will run for ten days, with daily two-hour training sessions, excluding weekends. The focus is on physical conditioning and tactical drills to prepare the largely home-based squad for the upcoming continental challenge.
Among the attendees are promising young talents from the U-20 and U-17 ranks at the CNFF training centre, including Joe Ombandza, Antony Mavoungou, and Saira Issambet. Established domestic players such as goalkeeper Chansel Massa, defender Boris Moubhio, and midfielder Hardy Alain Samarange Binguila are also part of the group. Other notable call-ups include Mamic Grâce Itoua, Junior Makiessé, Sagesse Babélé, Kader Bidimbou, and Pavhel Nzila.
Three players — Césaire Gandzé, Bissiki Magnokélé, and Joe Ombandza — are still awaiting arrival in Brazzaville, having been delayed in Pointe-Noire, but are expected to join their teammates shortly.
A second training camp is scheduled from 4–9 November in Pointe-Noire and will welcome around ten additional players, increasing the group to 21. From this pool, the standout performers will be selected to join the professional internationals for the final phase of preparations, set for 10–14 November.
Congo will face a critical test when they host Nigeria on 15 November in Pointe-Noire, a match that could prove decisive in determining qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. With the stakes high and the group standings tightly contested, the Red Devils are aiming for a strong finish to secure their place among the continent’s elite.
