DR Congo call up Henock Inonga Baka after Dylan Batubinsika injury

The DR Congo squad has been reshaped again before the start of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with Henock Inonga Baka recalled to replace the injured Dylan Batubinsika.

The Congolese Football Federation (Fecofa) confirmed on Friday that Batubinsika had withdrawn from the squad because of injury. The Steaua Bucuresti defender will be replaced by Inonga Baka, who now plays for Erbil SC in Iraq.

The news comes after the Leopards’ victory over Equatorial Guinea and shortly before their departure for Zimbabwe. The team will therefore travel with two players unavailable, after Paris Maghoma was also ruled out of the gathering because of a health problem.

No replacement has been named for Maghoma, who plays for Norwich City.

Inonga Baka’s recall represents a return for a defender who was previously an important part of Sebastien Desabre’s plans. He featured prominently during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and formed part of the central defensive partnership alongside Chancel Mbemba.

The defender subsequently slipped down the pecking order and moved away from the national team. His selection for the Zimbabwe trip was therefore not necessarily expected.

Fecofa did not provide further details about the nature of the problems affecting Batubinsika and Maghoma. The federation wished both players “a speedy recovery”.

The two withdrawals have forced Desabre to make further changes before the squad leaves. While Maghoma’s absence has not led to another call-up, the return of Inonga Baka gives the manager an experienced defensive option familiar with both the group and his methods.

The changes come as DR Congo prepare to begin a new continental qualifying campaign.