Sebastien Desabre makes known DR Congo’s final 24-man AFCON list

As scheduled, the DR Congo Football Federation (FECOFA) through coach Sébastien Desabre unveiled her AFCON 2023 list this Wednesday.

The main information on this list is the limited number of call ups since the French technician chose to call on “only” 24 players when he could retain up to 27.

In the group of players, there is no major surprise. Headliners Cédric Bakambu, Chancel Mbemba, Gaël Kakuta, Yoanne Wissa, Meschack Elia, Charles Pickel, Theo Bongonda, Fiston Mayele and Simon Banza are all present.

However, several notable absentees should are noted, starting with wingers Aldo Kalulu and Glody Lilepo, striker Jackson Muleka and full-back Vital Nsimba, who were all present at the last camp but will now miss out on the AFCON.

Preselected for the first time for the AFCON, is former England U21 youth international Axel Tuanzebe, who formerly played for Manchester United.

Luton Town midfielder Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, who has not been called up since September does not make the cut. The same goes for certain former executives who have fallen in ranks like; Neeskens Kebano, Chadrac Akolo, Ben Malango and Merveille Bope.

It should be noted that former captain Marcel Tisserand has been sidelined for many months, while Yannick Bolasie was already not in the pre-selection although he recently found a club.

Opposed to Zambia, Morocco and Tanzania in Group F, the Leopards will carry out their preparation in the United Arab Emirates from January 1. They will have two preparation matches on January 6 against Angola in Dubai, and then on January 10 against Burkina Faso in Abu Dhabi, before arriving Cote D’Ivoire.