DRC’s Under-20 Leopards recently took part in the first edition of the Union of Central African Football Federations (UNIFFAC) tournament, dubbed the FATSHI Cup. Despite their victory against the Congo Brazzaville red devils in the last match (2-1), the Leopards had to settle for second place.
The competition was won by the Panthères du Gabon, who topped the tournament with 7 points. The Leopards of the DRC meanwhile finished in second place with 6 points, ahead of the Red Devils of Congo Brazzaville (4 points) and the Fauves du Bas-Oubangui of the CAR (zero points).
Despite this defeat, the Leopards showed great performances throughout the tournament. They also managed to climb into the final thanks to a victory against the red devils, with goals scored by Djodjo NKombe Eale (29′) and Mardochée Kalengalenga (86′).
However, Gabon was the most consistent team and eventually won the tournament by defeating Fauves du Bas-Oubangui in the last encounter (2-0). The goals were scored by Jalex Mabela (37′) and Owar Sawadogo, adding another win to their already impressive run.
Despite the disappointment for the DRC Leopards, this experience was a valuable opportunity for the young players to compete against teams from the region and gain experience on the pitch. The UNIFFAC tournament allowed emerging talents to get noticed and show their potential.
For the DRC, it now remains to learn the lessons of this tournament and continue to work for the development of football among young people. The Leopards Under-20s have shown they have the talent and determination to compete with the best teams in the region, and that only adds to their motivation to progress further.
Football in Central Africa continues to evolve and grow, and with tournaments such as the FATSHI Cup, young players have a platform to showcase themselves and prepare for the future. The DRC has a rich footballing tradition and the success of the Under-20 Leopards is a promising sign for the future of Congolese football.
In conclusion, despite their second place in the FATSHI Cup, the DRC Leopards Under 20 showed great potential and a great performance throughout the tournament. This experience will serve as a springboard for them to continue to progress and proudly represent their country on the international stage.