Guy Bukasa, head coach of the DR Congo U-20 national team, is on a mission to revitalize Congolese football by nurturing a new generation of talent.
Bukasa has focused on rebuilding a team that had long been absent from international competitions since his appointment.
His efforts paid off as the Leopards secured their first U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification since 2013, marking a significant milestone for Congolese football.
Drawn into Group A alongside Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania, and a yet-to-be-confirmed UNIFFAC team, the DR Congo U-20 squad is set to compete in the U-20 AFCON in 2025.
Bukasa’s leadership was instrumental in turning around their campaign after a rocky start in the UNIFFAC qualifiers, where they initially suffered a 1-0 loss to Congo.
The team’s resilience and improved performances reflect the growing strength of Congolese football, both at the national and club levels.
Bukasa emphasized the importance of collaboration with senior team coach Sébastien Desabre to ensure a seamless transition for young players.
The strategy is already yielding results, with several U-20 players earning call-ups to the senior national team.
Bukasa highlighted the importance of continuity, stating, “We work closely with Sébastien Desabre since his arrival. We regularly engage about the performances of the players and try to standardize our methods of coaching so that they are not out of place when they join the senior team,” he told CAF Online.
“This is already bearing fruit: several young players we’ve integrated into our project have now joined the senior team.
“The goal is to ensure continuity because the national team is one entity with different categories. If a player excels in the U-20 team and the senior staff believes he belongs in the senior team, he will be promoted.”
Bukasa’s vision is clear: to build a sustainable future for Congolese football by developing young talent and creating a pathway for their progression.
