AFCON 2025: Leopards assemble in Alicante as compressed schedule sharpens focus ahead of Morocco

Preparations for the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign have taken shape in Alicante, where the Leopards have begun a short and tightly managed training camp as the countdown to the 2025 tournament accelerates.

Players have been arriving gradually in Spain, with a second training session held on Monday, December 15, as the squad starts to come together under time pressure.

With the competition set to open on Sunday, December 21, there is little room for extended preparation, forcing the coaching staff to prioritise efficiency and immediate cohesion.

The Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA) ultimately opted to maintain the Spanish base despite the logistical challenges.

The Alicante camp is designed primarily as a platform for a friendly match against Zambia’s Chipolopolo Boys on Tuesday, December 16.

Familiar opponents, Zambia offer a useful benchmark for assessing match fitness and tactical readiness, even if the encounter is not expected to pose the sternest test.

That fixture is also likely to provide opportunities for players who have featured less prominently in recent matches.

The coaching staff are expected to rotate the squad, using the game to integrate individuals who are still settling into the group and to evaluate combinations ahead of the tournament opener.

The compressed nature of the build-up has been shaped by a FIFA decision allowing clubs to retain players until December 15.

While intended to balance club and international demands, the adjustment has disrupted planning for several national teams.

For the Leopards, it means only six days separate the end of club commitments and their opening AFCON match against Benin on Tuesday, December 23.

As a result, the Alicante camp functions less as a traditional pre-tournament base and more as a transitional phase.

The emphasis has been on recovery, tactical clarity and rapid familiarisation rather than prolonged physical work.

Every session carries added importance, with the staff focused on fine margins that could prove decisive once competitive action begins.

The 2025 finals in Morocco will mark the Democratic Republic of Congo’s 22nd appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, underlining their status as one of the tournament’s most regular participants.

Their recent history provides both confidence and motivation.

At the last edition, the Leopards reached the semi-finals, reinforcing belief that further progress is possible.

Once again, they arrive with the label of outsiders, a tag that has often suited a side known for its unpredictability.

That reputation was reinforced during the African qualifying campaign, where they surprised many observers by overcoming heavyweight opposition, including Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions and Nigeria’s Super Eagles, to secure a place among the continent’s elite.

The players currently present in camp include goalkeepers Mathieu Epolo, Timothy Fayulu and Lionel Mpasi, defenders Dylan Batubinsika, Brian Cipenga, Arthur Masuaku, Chancel Mbemba, Steve Kapuadi, Joris Kayembe and Mario Stroeykens, midfield options Ngal’ayel Mukau, Charles Monginga Pickel, Edo Kayembe and Theo Bongonda, and attackers such as Cédric Bakambu, Michelangelo Balikwisha, Samuel Essende, Simon Banza, Nathanael Mbuku, Meschack Elia and Fiston Mayele.

As the days tick down, the challenge for the Leopards is clear, transform limited preparation time into collective sharpness.

With ambition to surpass their previous run, the brief stay in Alicante could prove decisive in setting the tone for their campaign in Morocco.