DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre may be forced into an early change to his squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers, following concerns over defender Axel Tuanzebe’s fitness.
The Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA) had announced a 25-man squad for the crucial fixtures against South Sudan on March 21 and Mauritania on March 25.
However, just two days after the squad was revealed, doubts have emerged over Tuanzebe’s availability.
Injury setback for Tuanzebe
The Ipswich Town centre-back, one of four returning players in Desabre’s squad, is facing another spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during his club’s FA Cup clash against Nottingham Forest on February 28.
The 27-year-old was forced off at half-time in the 1-1 draw, which Ipswich eventually lost on penalties.
His manager, Kieran McKenna, confirmed that Tuanzebe was left out of Ipswich’s squad for their Championship fixture against Crystal Palace due to fitness concerns.
The defender, who has struggled with injuries throughout his career, is also expected to undergo surgery—further complicating his chances of joining the Leopards for the international break.
A lengthy absence from the national team
If ruled out, this would be the third consecutive DR Congo squad that Tuanzebe has missed.
The former Manchester United player last featured for the Leopards on September 9, 2024, in a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
In that match, he was deployed as a right-back and earned praise from Desabre for his solid performance.
His potential absence will be a blow to DR Congo, given his versatility and experience.
Kieran McKenna has confirmed that Axel Tuanzebe will miss this weekend’s fixture at Crystal Palace. Cameron Burgess will be assessed ahead of the trip.
One or two players who missed Monday night’s game against Nottingham Forest could be available for #CRYIPS on Saturday. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/lDKjCtwIFa
— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) March 6, 2025
However, Desabre may now have to look at alternative defensive options as the Leopards aim to strengthen their position in the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Desabre faces key decisions
With Tuanzebe unlikely to recover in time, Desabre will have to consider possible replacements.
The DR Congo coach has been working to build a cohesive defensive unit, and losing an experienced player at this stage of the qualifiers presents an unwanted challenge.
The Leopards currently sit in a competitive position in Group B and will need to secure positive results against South Sudan and Mauritania to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Whether Tuanzebe recovers in time or not, DR Congo will need to find a way to compensate for his absence and maintain their defensive solidity.
