DR Congo stood firmly by their choice to leave Yoane Wissa out of their AFCON 2025 squad, framing the call as an investment in both the player’s health and the country’s World Cup dream.
Coach Sebastien Desabre explained that Wissa had only just returned from a knee injury suffered against Senegal in September and was still building rhythm with new club Newcastle United. He revealed that the staff had stayed in close contact with Newcastle’s medical team and agreed not to rush the forward back into the intensity of a major tournament.
Desabre said he ultimately decided to leave Wissa out so he could recover “in the best possible conditions”, stressing that the 29-year-old is vital for the World Cup playoff in March.
The striker recently came off the bench twice in the Premier League and started and scored in a League Cup quarter-final win over Fulham, prompting questions about his AFCON omission, but the coach insisted there were “no regrets”.
DR Congo now looked toward a decisive playoff tie against either Jamaica or New Caledonia for a place at the 2026 World Cup, buoyed by recent knockout wins over Cameroon and Nigeria that strengthened belief they can compete with Africa’s best.
