The Democratic Republic of Congo has confirmed its 24-man squad for the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, with six France-based players making the cut and one notable omission due to a club-versus-country dispute involving TP Mazembe.
With the continental tournament set to kick off in Egypt on April 26 and run through May 18, head coach Guy Bukasa has opted for a balanced squad that brings together domestic prospects and promising talents from the Congolese diaspora in Europe.
Among the 24 selected, a significant portion hail from France’s football system, including standout names who have featured regularly in Ligue 2 this season.
Messy Mubundu of Amiens, who has made 12 league appearances in the current campaign, headlines the foreign-based contingent.
He is joined by Ryan Tutu (Strasbourg), Frédéric Efuele (Toulouse), Isaac Lufuiku (Caen), and Sochaux duo Honoré Bayanginisa and Merdi Palato.
Their inclusion underlines the increasing reliance on dual-national players to bolster the country’s youth setup as DR Congo returns to the tournament for the first time since 2013.
However, the announcement was not without controversy. One of the country’s most promising young players, Oscar Kabwit of TP Mazembe, was omitted despite being initially called up.
The Lubumbashi-based club, currently involved in the Congolese championship playoffs, opted to retain the winger, citing competition regulations that allow clubs to withhold players during non-FIFA windows.
This decision has sparked criticism from Congolese fans, many of whom expected greater cooperation from one of the nation’s most prestigious clubs.
Kabwit, already capped at senior level, has been in excellent form for Mazembe, and his absence will be felt as the Leopards look to make an impression on their return to the U20 stage.
Similar obstacles affected other selections as well. Two Europe-based players—Samuel Ntanda (Sampdoria, Italy) and Yohan Mboko (Lecce, Italy)—were also unable to join the squad due to club commitments, leaving Bukasa to make late adjustments ahead of the competition.
Preparations for the tournament have been underway since March, with the Leopards holding a training camp in Tunisia. During the camp, the team faced reigning U20 African champions Senegal in two friendly matches.
The first ended in a 2-0 defeat, while the second resulted in a goalless draw, offering Bukasa a valuable opportunity to assess his squad’s progress and cohesion.
The DRC will open their Group B campaign on May 2 against Ghana, followed by fixtures against the Central African Republic on May 5 and Senegal on May 8.
Expectations are high for the young Leopards, who are determined to improve on their last appearance in 2013, when they exited in the group stage.
As anticipation builds, all eyes will be on this new generation of Congolese talent, many of whom are stepping onto the continental stage for the first time.
The blend of local promise and European polish could prove vital as DR Congo aims to mark its return with a deep run in the competition.
