The Leopards Juniors of the Democratic Republic of Congo, representing the country’s under-20s, are actively preparing for the zonal qualifiers for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for 2025. This crucial competition will be held from September 14 to 18, putting great pressure on the young Congolese talents who aspire to secure their place in this renowned continental competition.
In Kinshasa, the beating heart of Congolese football, the players’ hopes and dreams are taking shape under the leadership of coach Guy Bukasa. After a convincing 2-0 victory against OC Les Élites, the team is pumped up and determined to shine on the international stage. In this dynamic, key players such as Yohann Bopaka, a talented goalkeeper playing in France at Mulhouse, express their commitment and pride in representing their country.
Yohann Bopaka, aware of the importance of his contribution to the team, spares no effort to lift the Junior Leopards towards the coveted qualification for the U20 AFCON. Despite his laudable ambitions, the goalkeeper nevertheless expresses his disappointment at the absence of his teammates playing abroad, retained by their respective clubs due to the calendar not coinciding with the FIFA dates.
This competition represents a major challenge for the DRC, which has not yet managed to qualify for this major event in African football. However, the team is doing everything possible to ensure a smooth transition towards qualification, focusing its work on unity and determination. With this in mind, a new test awaits the Congolese selection against AF Anges Verts, a crucial match to assert their ambitions and consolidate their place among the elite of continental football.
Young Congolese footballers, driven by their passion and their will to shine, are preparing to defy expectations and write a new page in the history of football in the DRC. Their journey, strewn with obstacles and challenges, is a testament to their resilience and determination to overcome difficulties to reach the top. In an environment of fierce competition and demands, the Junior Leopards are preparing to give the best of themselves and to carry the colours of their country high on the international stage.