The Democratic Republic of Congo is determined to claim its third Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title as it prepares for the 2025 tournament in Morocco.
After finishing fourth in the 2024 edition in Ivory Coast, the Leopards are eager to improve their performance and compete for continental glory.
Drawn in Group D alongside Senegal, Benin, and Botswana, DR Congo faces a challenging path but remains confident in its ambitions.
Head coach Sébastien Desabre has emphasized the importance of a step-by-step approach, prioritizing the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers while also focusing on each AFCON match as it comes.
Senegal, considered the group’s strongest contender, presents a tough challenge, but Desabre is mindful that Benin and Botswana could also pose serious threats.
The Congolese Football Federation shares Desabre’s ambitions, with its president, Dieudonné Sambi Nsele-Lutu, making it clear that the team is aiming high.
“We are the most successful team in this group, and we are determined to win our third star.
It slipped away from us in Ivory Coast, but the CAF TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025 could be our moment,” Nsele-Lutu stated.
He also offered his analysis of Group D, acknowledging the familiarity of their opponents.
“It’s déjà vu—we know these teams well. We are already facing Senegal in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and Benin was our opponent in the last AFCON.
As for Botswana, they are a team on the rise, and we must be cautious.
No opponent should be underestimated. Our fate is in our hands, and we must approach each match with focus and determination,” he added.
With a rich history that includes two AFCON titles, DR Congo enters the 2025 tournament with high hopes.
The team will look to harness its experience and talent to make a deep run in the competition, striving to add a third continental trophy to its legacy.
