The Democratic Republic of Congo will face a stern test at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations after being drawn into Group C alongside Senegal, Ghana and the Central African Republic.
The draw, conducted on Sunday, 13 April in Egypt, has set the stage for a highly competitive group stage in this year’s tournament, scheduled to run from 27 April to 18 May.
The DR Congo U20 team, winners of the most recent UNIFFAC qualifying tournament, now find themselves up against some of the continent’s most formidable youth teams.
DR Congo’s Leopards will be seeking to carry their regional success onto the continental stage.
Despite missing out on the previous edition of the U20 AFCON, the squad, led by head coach Guy Bukasa, is aiming to make a strong impression in Egypt.
“This is a crucial moment for our young players,” said Bukasa earlier this month. “We know the level of competition we’re up against, but our mission is to show that we belong on this stage.”
The group reunites DR Congo with familiar opponents from the Central African Republic, while Ghana and Senegal—both renowned for their rich footballing history—complete a quartet that promises intense matchups.
In preparation for the tournament, the Congolese side will embark on a training camp in Tunisia, beginning on Tuesday, 15 April.
The camp is intended to finalise tactical plans and solidify team cohesion ahead of their Group C opener.
The official squad list is expected to be released on 22 April.
The draw also highlighted the full group distribution for the 2025 U20 AFCON:
Group A:
- Egypt
- Zambia
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- Tanzania
Group B:
- Nigeria
- Tunisia
- Kenya
- Morocco
Group C:
- Senegal
- DR Congo
- Ghana
- Central African Republic
With the stakes high and the quality of opposition considerable, the Leopards U20 team will need to rely on strategic preparation and unity to navigate their way through the group stage.
The 2025 U20 AFCON promises to deliver a showcase of emerging African talent—and DR Congo are ready to take their shot at continental glory.
