AFCON 2023: DR Congo want to revive past glory
● The Leopards are in Group F with Morocco, Zambia and Tanzania
● Absent from the last edition, the DR Congo want to assert themselves again on the continent
● The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 kicks off on January 13
The Democratic Republic of Congo are ready for the new challenge ahead when the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 gets underway. Their objective is to return to the helm of continental football.
Democratic Republic of Congo matches in Group F
January 17, 2024
DR Congo - Zambia, 20h00 GMT, Stade Laurent Pokou, San Pédro
January 21, 2024
Morocco - DR Congo, 14h00 GMT, Stade Laurent Pokou, San Pédro
January 24, 2024
Tanzania - DR Congo, 20h00 GMT, Amadou Gon Coulibaly, Korhogo
How DR Congo qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations
Coming up against Sudan on the last day of qualifying for the CAF TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2023, the Democratic Republic of Congo won 2-0 in Kinshasa to finish top of Group I and earn a place in Côte d’Ivoire.
A draw was enough for them to qualify but the Leopards did better than the bare minimum. Theo Bongonda opened the scoring in the eighth minute before Fiston Mayele doubled the score late in the game. This was more than enough to satisfy their coach Sébastien Desabre.
Player to watch: Chancel Mbemba
Beyond his footballing characteristics, Chancel Mbemba stands out for his personality which makes him a key player in Congolese football.
As captain of the Leopards, he takes responsibility during good and bad times. A dependable defender comfortable with the ball, the Kinshasa local is a scorer at heart.
Mbemba has scored five goals in 16 matches with Olympique de Marseille. Voted Best African Player of the 2022/23 season, Mbemba hopes to give a hard time to all the attackers who will come up against him during this TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Côte d’Ivoire 2023.
The coach: Sébastien Desabre
Sébastien Desabre is above all a leader of men. Arriving at the helm of the Leopards in August 2022, the Frenchman was able to boost the morale of the Congolese troops and secure qualification for the CAF TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Côte d’Ivoire 2023.
Recently, Desabre has deployed 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. With great expectations on defense, the French tactician hates conceding goals. He demands constant sacrifice from his players.
He demands a winning mentality, and it has since reflected on the team – one that works hard. This very demanding tactic requires very intense physical commitment from the players as soon as they lose the ball.
Results of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the AFCON
1965: 1st Round
1968: Winner
1970: 1st Round
1972: Fourth
1976: 1st Round
1988: 1st Round
1992: Quarter-final
1994: Quarter-final
1996: Quarter-final
1998: Third
2000: 1st Round
2002: Quarter-final
2004: 1st Round
2006: Quarter-final
2013: 1st Round
2015: Third
2017: Quarter-final
2019: Round of 16