Bakambu returns for DR Congo in FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Experienced striker Cedric Bakambu is set to make his first appearance for the Democratic Republic of Congo since last year’s TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals after being included in a 25-man squad for two FIFA World Cup qualifiers this month.
English-based midfielder Grady Diangana and defender Axel Tuanzebe also return to the squad for the Group B fixtures at home to South Sudan in Kinshasa on March 21 and then away at Mauritania four days later.
Bakumbu struggled with form last year but has found more consistency with Real Betis in LaLiga this season and won a recall from coach Sébastien Desabre.
Diangana last played in the World Cup equalisers in June last year and is back after seeing out the entire 2025 Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Tuanzebe was injured last November when the Congolese completed their Cup of Nations preliminaries with defeats to Guinea and Ethiopia.
The Congolese still qualified for the finals in Morocco by taking top place in Group H.
Irish-born defender Peter Kioso, who plays for Oxford United in England’s Championship, is dropped along with Belgian-based midfielder William Balikwisha (OH Leuven, Belgium), Dinamo Zagreb striker Nathanaël Mbuku and veteran Gael Kakuta, who was called up last November but then withdrew.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Dimitry Bertaud (Montpellier, France), Timothy Fayulu (Sion, Switzerland), Lionel Mpasi (Rodez, France)
Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (St Etienne, France), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian, Scotland), Henock Inonga (AS FAR, Morocco), Gédéon Kalulu (Lorient, France), Joris Kayembe (Genk, Belgium), Arthur Masuaku (Besiktas, Turkey), Chancel Mbemba (Olympique de Marseille, France), Axel Tuanzebe (Ipswich Town, England)
Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Grady Diangana (West Bromwich Albbion, England), Meshack Elia (Nantes, France), Silas Katompa Mvumpa (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Edo Kayembe (Watford, England), Samuel Moutoussamy (Sivasspor, Turkey), Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille, France), Charles Pickel (Cremonense, Italy), Noah Sadiki (Union Saint Gilloise, Belgium)
Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis, Spain), Simon Banza (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Samuel Essende (Ausgburg, Germany), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids, Egypt), Yoane Wissa (Brentford, England).