The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is set to make a resolute return to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) after their absence in the last edition, and expectations are running high as they embark on the challenging journey in Ivory Coast under the leadership of coach Sébastien Desabre.
The upcoming 34th edition of the continental competition, scheduled from January 13 to February 11, 2024, marks DR Congo’s re-entry into the AFCON arena.
While the Leopards may not be considered among the favorites for the title, they carry the hopes and aspirations of fervent supporters eager to witness a resurgence in their performance.
Qualification for DR Congo during the AFCON 2023 qualifiers proved to be an arduous task, with early defeats against Gabon and Sudan.
This adversity led to the appointment of Sébastien Desabre, the French tactician, who orchestrated a remarkable turnaround with four consecutive victories, steering his team toward AFCON qualification and igniting dreams of clinching the coveted trophy.
Under Desabre’s stewardship since September 2022, the Leopards have displayed commendable form, evident in their recent outings.
Notable results include a victory against Sudan (1-0) in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, followed by a 2-0 triumph over Mauritania in the same competition.
Additionally, DR Congo showcased resilience with a series of draws and wins in friendly matches and the CAN 2023 Qualifiers.
Despite being drawn into a challenging Group F alongside Morocco, Zambia, and Tanzania, DR Congo enters the tournament as a formidable outsider capable of defying expectations.
The last time the Leopards secured an AFCON title was in 1974, and the devoted supporters are hopeful that the team, perceived as underdogs, may script an unforgettable story in Ivory Coast.
Coach Sébastien Desabre is poised to unveil his final squad of 27 players on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, setting the stage for what could be DR Congo’s opportunity to shine and potentially secure a place in the knockout stages, fueled by the determination to contend for the championship.
