Sébastien Desabre, the coach of the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has set his sights on a quarter-final berth as a significant achievement.
In a recent interview, the seasoned French coach articulated his ambitions for the 34th edition of the prestigious tournament, expressing the belief that leading the Democratic Republic of Congo to the quarter-finals would constitute a considerable success.
Drawing upon his experience coaching high-pressure clubs like Espérance Tunis and Wydad Casablanca, Desabre acknowledged the unique challenges associated with guiding the DRC.
“We are qualified for the AFCON, and supporters dream of the title.
If we reach the quarter-finals, we will have succeeded in our tournament. And once on shift, anything can happen,” declared Desabre, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of football in tournament settings.
While the Democratic Republic of Congo has clinched the AFCON title twice before, in 1968 and 1974, Desabre maintained a pragmatic approach, suggesting that aiming for a third star in Ivory Coast is not the primary focus.
However, he left room for the possibility, acknowledging that in football, unexpected outcomes are always conceivable.
The anticipation for Desabre’s final squad is building as the DRC is set to unveil its list of 27 players for the AFCON on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
Notably absent from the pre-list is Axel Tuanzebe, signaling a surprise exclusion.
Despite this, Desabre is confident in the talents at his disposal, and the unveiling of the final squad adds to the intrigue surrounding the Leopards’ campaign in the continental competition.
As the DRC gears up for the AFCON 2023, the football world awaits to see if Sébastien Desabre’s ambitions will materialize on the pitch.
