DR Congo’s Leopards foiled: Financial hurdles halt friendly matches
The hopes of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s national football team, the Leopards, to engage in friendly matches during this international break in March have been dashed due to financial constraints. The cancellation of their training camp in Turkey, which was intended to include friendly fixtures, has left the team without vital preparation ahead of upcoming competitions.
Sabin Machini, a member of the FECOFA Standardization Committee, highlighted the financial difficulties plaguing the organization, preventing the disbursement of funds necessary for the training camp.
“We are in an exceptional transitional period where no minister is responsible for a procedure in the spending chain so that the money comes out,” Machini explained.
While the Ministry of Sports cited the late submission of financial planning by FECOFA and cash flow tensions, the consequences remain stark for the Leopards.
With no friendly matches scheduled, the team misses out on crucial opportunities to fine-tune their strategies and integrate new talent.
The absence of training in March is viewed by many sports analysts as a setback for the Leopards, particularly after their commendable performance in the recent Africa Cup of Nations, where they reached the semifinals.
The training camp was seen as a chance for head coach Sébastien Desabre to adjust tactics and introduce new players, including dual nationals like Axel Tuanzebe.
Responding to the cancellation, midfielder Samuel Moutussamy emphasized the need for rest but acknowledged the missed opportunity for the team’s preparation.
However, Congolese sports analysts like Richard Mukendi express concern over the impact of the canceled training camp on the Leopards’ performance in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Senegal and Togo.
The decision not to hold the training camp leaves the Leopards with a significant gap in competitive play, with four months passing since their last match.
This hiatus poses challenges for the team as they prepare to face formidable opponents in the World Cup qualifiers, highlighting the urgency for organizational and financial reforms within Congolese football administration.
