DR Congo Announces 23-Man Squad for 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Giannelli Imbula Omitted
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially unveiled its 23-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, set to kick off on June 21. Coach Florent Ibenge confirmed that key players such as Yannick Bolasie, Cédric Bakambu, and Marcel Tisserand will be part of the Leopards’ campaign. However, the squad announcement brought a significant surprise: midfielder Giannelli Imbula will not be traveling with the team.
Imbula, who had been included in DRC’s preliminary 32-man roster and called up last month for AFCON preparations, reacted publicly to the news of his exclusion. The 27-year-old, currently on loan at Rayo Vallecano from Marseille, expressed his disappointment in a heartfelt statement on Twitter. “It is with a mixture of sadness and anger that I write these few lines,” he began, explaining that he had been preparing both physically and mentally for weeks to be ready for the tournament.
The former French youth international (7 caps) highlighted the frustration behind his omission. “Today, I was informed early this afternoon that my paperwork was still not finalized, and that I therefore could not participate with the Democratic Republic of Congo in the AFCON. At this moment, I am very sad not to be able to participate with my teammates in this competition and very angry to have believed it was possible,” Imbula wrote. He concluded by wishing his teammates good luck and promised to support them in spirit throughout the tournament, thanking fans for their messages of encouragement.
The reason behind Imbula’s exclusion is purely administrative. Despite his readiness and commitment, the necessary documentation to allow him to represent DR Congo in the tournament was not completed in time. This administrative oversight prevented the midfielder from joining the final squad and left fans and the player himself disappointed.
DR Congo will compete in Group A, alongside Egypt, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The Leopards will open their 2019 AFCON campaign against Uganda on June 22 in Cairo, with hopes of progressing past the group stage and making a deep run in the tournament. Bolasie, Bakambu, and Tisserand are expected to form the backbone of the team, providing both experience and firepower in attack and defense.
Despite the absence of Imbula, Ibenge’s squad remains competitive. The Leopards boast a mix of seasoned internationals and emerging talent, and they will rely on their cohesion and tactical discipline to challenge for honors. The administrative setback involving Imbula is a reminder of the often complex off-field issues that can affect national teams, even at the highest level of African football.
With the tournament just days away, DR Congo’s focus is now entirely on preparation and ensuring the squad is ready to meet the host nation and the other Group A opponents. Fans will be watching closely to see how the Leopards navigate their opening fixtures without one of their initially expected midfield options.
