Florent Ibenge: “Winning the CAN Would Be a Surprise” – DRC Coach Keeps Expectations Grounded
Following the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations draw in Malabo, the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo found themselves in Group B, alongside Tunisia, Zambia, and Cape Verde. A relatively balanced group, with all matches to be held in Ebibeyin, it presents both challenges and opportunities for Florent Ibenge’s men.
However, despite the accessible nature of the group, coach Florent Ibenge has remained cautious and realistic about his side’s chances:
“Winning the CAN would be a surprise.”
In an interview with Radio Okapi, Ibenge emphasized that while the DRC goes into the competition with ambition, talk of lifting the trophy is premature:
“I hear a lot of people talking about winning the CAN. Of course, we can win it, but it would be a surprise. Football is prepared. What interests me is that we can say that in two or four years, we are going there to win it.”
Having qualified in difficult fashion, Ibenge believes the team needs time to grow into a genuine title contender:
“We are going there with ambitions, of course, but this is not the time [to win].”
With a generation of promising players and a clear vision for the future, the DRC will aim to make a solid impression at CAN 2015—even if ultimate glory may lie a little further down the road.
