DR Congo Coach Florent Ibenge to Miss AFCON Draw Due to Financial Constraints
By BBC Sport – Football
As excitement builds ahead of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations group stage draw in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, DR Congo head coach Florent Ibenge will be forced to follow the proceedings from home — not by choice, but due to financial constraints within the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA).
Despite the importance of the event, Ibenge did not travel with other national representatives to witness the draw live. Reports indicate that FECOFA was unable to secure a plane ticket for its national team coach, highlighting the ongoing financial difficulties facing the federation.
This is not the first time the federation’s financial struggles have made headlines. Just last month, following the Leopards’ successful qualification for the tournament, FECOFA president Constant Omari publicly acknowledged the commitment and sacrifice of the coaching staff. “These coaches qualified the national team for the CAN without pay. They only received bonuses for qualifying matches,” Omari stated, paying tribute to Ibenge and his team’s dedication under challenging conditions.
Although he won’t be physically present in Malabo, Ibenge is expected to follow the draw closely from afar, as the Leopards await news of their group-stage opponents. With limited resources and modest preparation, DR Congo will enter the tournament with a spirit of resilience — a trait mirrored by their head coach.
Florent Ibenge, who also leads Congolese club AS Vita Club, has had a standout year. He guided Vita to the final of the 2014 CAF Champions League, narrowly losing to ES Sétif. His achievements at both club and national level have earned him a nomination for Coach of the Year at the Africa Top Sports Awards.
As the 2015 AFCON approaches, the Leopards’ path remains uncertain — but with a tactically astute and determined leader like Ibenge at the helm, DR Congo’s hopes remain alive despite the odds.
