World Cup playoff finalists, DR Congo announce AFCON 2025 squad
2026 World Cup playoff finalist for Africa, DR Congo, have officially announced their first squad list for the AFCON 2025 tournament.
DR Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre has unveiled his 26-man squad for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025, maintaining a strong core of familiar faces as the Leopards gear up for the continent’s biggest football event.
The announcement places DR Congo among the early movers ahead of the competition, joining Cameroon, which also released its squad earlier, in stepping up final preparations for the tournament kicking off later this month.
Desabre’s selection largely rewards consistency, retaining several players who were instrumental in guiding the nation to the playoffs of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Captain Chancel Mbemba headlines the squad, with other influential figures such as Axel Tuanzebe, Noah Sadiki, Fiston Mayele, Meschak Elia, and Cédric Bakambu all included.
DR Congo Squad for AFCON 2025
Goalkeepers:
Theo Fayulu (FC Noah, Armenia)
Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre, France)
Mathieu Epolo (Standard Liège, Belgium)
Defenders:
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham, England)
Gédéon Kalulu (Aris Limassol, Cyprus)
Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland, England)
Chancel Mbemba (Lille, France)
Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley, England)
Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian, Scotland)
Joris Kayembe (Genk, Belgium)
Steven Kapuadi (Legia Warsaw, Poland)
Midfielders:
Noah Sadiki (Sunderland, England)
Edo Kayembe (Watford, England)
Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos, Greece)
Charles Pickel (Espanyol, Spain)
Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille, France)
Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht, Belgium)
Théo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow, Russia)
Michelangelo Balikwisha (Celtic, Scotland)
Nathanaël Mbuku (Montpellier, France)
Brian Cipenga (Castellón, Spain)
Attackers:
Simon Banza (Al Jazeera, UAE)
Fiston Mayele (Pyramids, Egypt)
Samuel Essende (Augsburg, Germany)
Meschak Elia (Alanyaspor, Türkiye)
Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis, Spain)
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