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DR Congo Profile – 2026 CAF TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations

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DR Congo U-17 Profile

Key Facts

  • Team: DR Congo
  • Appearance: 1st
  • Last Appearance: None
  • Best Performance: Debut

DR Congo head into the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2026 as one of the tournament’s exciting debutants, eager to make a strong impression on their first appearance at the continental finals.

The Young Leopards have shown significant progress in recent years, and their qualification through a competitive UNIFFAC campaign highlights the growing strength of youth football in the country.

How They Qualified

DR Congo secured their place at Morocco 2026 by finishing runners-up at the UNIFFAC U-17 qualifiers held in Kinshasa between February 17 and March 2, 2026.

They sealed qualification alongside regional champions Cameroon, who retained their title with a 2-0 victory over the Congolese side on the final matchday.

Despite that defeat, DR Congo’s overall campaign was impressive. They recorded a crucial 3-1 win over Gabon, followed by a 2-1 victory against Central African Republic, demonstrating consistency and attacking quality.

Their second-place finish confirmed their ticket to the continental finals, marking a historic achievement for the nation’s youth programme.

History in the Competition

This will be DR Congo’s first-ever participation at the U-17 AFCON, making them one of the newcomers to watch.

Although they lack experience at this level, their strong qualifying performances suggest they are ready to compete with more established teams.

Key Players to Watch

  • Delpierot Ntali (Forward) – The tournament’s top scorer at the UNIFFAC qualifiers with three goals in three matches, Ntali is a clinical finisher and a constant danger inside the box.
  • Séraphin Ntantu (Winger) – A pacey and technically gifted winger, Ntantu provides width and creativity, with the ability to unlock defences.
  • Titi Exaucé (Forward) – A determined and influential forward who also plays a leadership role within the squad.

Coach & Tactical Approach

DR Congo are led by Denis Makenga Mulamba, an experienced coach with a strong background in youth development.

Having worked with both club and national youth teams, Makenga has built a team that is tactically disciplined and physically competitive.

His approach focuses on:

  • Structured defensive organisation, ensuring balance
  • Direct and efficient attacking play, maximising scoring chances
  • Team cohesion and discipline, essential for tournament football

His emphasis on development and organisation has been key to DR Congo’s rapid rise.

Tournament Expectations

As debutants, DR Congo will aim to compete strongly and gain valuable experience on the continental stage.

Their primary objective will be to progress beyond the group stage and challenge for one of the available FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 qualification spots.

While they may not carry the weight of expectation, their attacking quality and strong team spirit could see them emerge as one of the tournament’s surprise packages.