The new UEFA Champions League season has started with its share of exciting matches and remarkable performances. Football fans in the Democratic Republic of Congo, for their part, find themselves faced with a disappointing reality: their Congolese stars are absent or barely present on this prestigious international scene.
Among the Congolese players who participated in the Champions League this season, Meschack Elia stood out by scoring a goal against Leipzig during the defeat of Young Boys Bern. However, this performance is unlikely to be repeated frequently. Indeed, only two players from the Congolese national team are present in the group stage: Elia and Cédric Bakambu. While Elia is more likely to play regularly as a starter, Bakambu finds himself competing with big-name players, making his participation in the Champions League uncertain.
The absence or low representation of Congolese players in European competition highlights a crucial aspect: the national team needs players capable of competing with the best in the world. Apart from a few exceptions such as Silas Katompa at Stuttgart and Chancel Mbemba at OM, most Congolese players play for second-tier clubs in Europe. This reality could weigh in the balance at the next African Cup of Nations, where the DRC will have to face teams with more impressive numbers.
This contrasts with other African teams who are well represented in the Champions League. Nigeria has nine players present in the competition, followed by Morocco with ten players, Mali with seven players, Ivory Coast with six players and Cameroon with five players. For the DRC to return to the continental and world stage, it will need to attract international caliber players and convince them to join the national team.
Although participation in the Champions League is a laudable goal, it is important not to lose sight of the essential: developing and strengthening the Congolese national team. The experience gained on the European stage can contribute to the improvement of the national team’s performance, but it is essential to find a balance between club competition and the development of Congolese football as a whole.
In conclusion, the absence of Congolese players in the Champions League highlights the need for the DRC to develop and attract high-level talent. While other African teams are well represented in the competition, it is essential to put in place a strategy that allows the DRC to compete with the best teams on the continent and the world. This will help strengthen the Congolese national team and make Congolese football shine on the international stage.