Leopards: focus on the new talents joining the Congolese national team
The Fédération Congolaise de Football Association recently announced the addition of four new players to the national team of the Democratic Republic of Congo. These new faces, Simon Banza, Grady Diangana, Brian Jephete Bayeye and Dimitry Bertaud, have been called up by coach Sébastien Desabre for the upcoming friendly matches against New Zealand and Angola.
Simon Banza, a 26-year-old striker playing for SC Braga in Portugal, finally accepted the call-up from the national team after refusing it several times. Trained at RC Lens in France, Banza will bring his talent and skill in front of goal, thus strengthening the attacking sector already well endowed with players such as Bakambu and Kalala.
Grady Diangana, former English international hopeful, also chose to represent the DRC on the international stage. At 25 years old, this versatile West Bromwich Albion player can play as a playmaker or on the wings, bringing a wide variety of technical skills to the team.
Brian Jephete Bayeye, a 23-year-old defender playing for Torino FC, is a promising player who recently added the Congolese flag next to that of France on his Instagram account. Currently on loan in Italian Serie B at Ascoli, Bayeye will bring his defensive solidity and international experience to the Congolese national team.
Finally, Dimitry Bertaud, a 25-year-old goalkeeper playing in Montpellier in France, joins the selection for the first time. With his height of 1.80 meters, he will bring healthy competition in the cages and represents a solid option for the national team.
These new talents strengthen an already talented team and demonstrate Sébastien Desabre’s desire to build a solid team in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the final phase of CAN 2024 in Ivory Coast. Leopards fans can therefore be excited about the future of their national team and look forward to seeing these young players shine on the international stage.