Sébastien Desabre, the architect of the revival of the DR Congo Leopards
DR Congo created a surprise at CAN 2024 by reaching the semi-final. An unexpected journey which owes a lot to the work of Sébastien Desabre, the team coach. Arriving in August 2022, the Frenchman was able to breathe new life into a team in difficulty and lead it to new heights. In this interview, he looks back on the Congolese epic in Ivory Coast and discusses his plans for the future.
A competition full of satisfaction
For Sébastien Desabre, reaching the semi-final of CAN 2024 is already a great satisfaction. DR Congo did not expect to reach this stage of the competition, but the team knew how to surpass itself to achieve it. The initial objective was rather to plan for CAN 2025, given the short time he had at the head of the selection. But qualifying for this edition allowed the coach to spend more time with the players, to know them better and to implement his playing principles.
A renewal for the DR Congo
Since the arrival of Sébastien Desabre, the DR Congo has experienced a real revival. The coach opted for a rejuvenation of the team, retaining only three players from the Leopards’ previous participation in the CAN. This change was good for the team and the results confirmed the relevance of this decision. In addition to qualifying for CAN 2025, DR Congo has regained the love of its people thanks to its impressive run in Ivory Coast.
An ambitious project for the future
Despite the disappointment of the defeat in the semi-final, Sébastien Desabre remains determined to offer a bronze medal to the DR Congo. But the coach does not stop there and already has plans for the future. His real objectives are the CAN 2025 and the 2026 World Cup. He hopes to continue the renewal of the team and position it at its true value on the African stage. To do this, he plans to continue working with the group and implementing his game ideas.
CAN 2024, a competition for coaches
Sébastien Desabre underlines the essential role of the coach in the success of a team. However, he also emphasizes the importance of the staff and the players. DR Congo was able to count on a group of professional and involved players, as well as an efficient medical and physical preparation staff. The competition was also marked by the presence of talented selectors, proof that the work carried out upstream by them is crucial to obtain results.
The African experience of Sébastien Desabre
With his experience of African football, Sébastien Desabre highlights the importance of finding alchemy between local players, players playing in major European clubs and binationals. He also highlights the need to have a competent and diverse staff. His long experience on the African continent allows him to better understand the specificities of African football and to take advantage of his knowledge to lead the DR Congo towards new successes.
In conclusion, the work of Sébastien Desabre at the head of the DR Congo bore fruit at CAN 2024. Thanks to its renewal, the team has achieved a remarkable journey and has positioned itself as a team to follow for the next competitions. The coach’s objectives are ambitious and he intends to continue working to raise DR Congo to the top of African football.