** The CAN 2026 objective: ladies leopards at the crossroads **
At the dawn of the eliminations of the 16th African Cup of Nations female, the ladies leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo are found in a delicate situation. While their opponents, the Botswana ponds are preparing for the decisive double confrontation, the Congolese are fighting against a recent unreferring story. At the heart of this storm stands the vice-captain, Bénie Kubiena, who, in an exclusive interview, addresses the challenges and aspirations of her team.
The performance of the ladies leopards in 2024, marked by an alarming series of six defeats in six friendly games, threw a veil of uncertainty on their preparation. The results, far from being neutral, reveal a team in search of meaning and identity. The question that arises is not only that of defeats, but rather that of resilience and the ability to transcend expectations. While Bénie evokes “cohesion problems”, it is crucial to wonder where these dissonances can come from.
** Performance analysis: a team to rebuild **
On the level of continental women’s football, the DRC has always been considered an outsider. However, to hope to rise among the great nations, it is imperative to analyze each aspect of the game. Communication, essential within the defense, seems to play a preponderant role in the difficulties encountered. Kubiena underlines it itself: “We had good communication, except that there were some mistakes”. These errors, often synchronized with a lack of collective experience, are often the fine line that separates the victory team.
Statistics in hand, we note that a team that collects nine goals in four friendly matches has difficulty structuring themselves defensively. The solidity of the defensive duo, here represented by Kubiena and Daniella Ngoyi, deserves special attention. For a female football in full evolution on the African continent, the DRC must think of an overhaul not only tactical, but also psychological.
** The great hours of the DRC: a homecoming? **
The last participation of the DRC in the CAN Female dates back to 2012, and it is a unique opportunity to make history again, especially since the competition takes place in Morocco, a country in full sports expansion. In just 12 years, the dynamics have changed, and the DRC wishes to make its voice heard. Like other African nations such as Nigeria and Cameroon, which already have a tradition of solid performance in competition, the ladies leopards are at a turning point. The young generations welcome promising talents, and the desire for competition intensifies.
Approaching the double confrontation against Botswana, the team has every interest in remembering that the foundations of success reside in the determination to overcome the challenges. In this context, the rising star of women’s football, Bénie Kubiena, expresses fervently: “We have prepared for everything and for everything. This mentality is a glimmer of hope, not only for the team, but also for the Congolese public eager to see their selection triumph.
** A look to the future: Could we dream of a qualification? **
If the ladies leopards manage to qualify for the second round of the playoffs, a prestigious title awaits them in the form of the Banyana Banyana, reigning African champions. It would be a colossal opportunity to compete with the elite of African football and to assess the real progression of the team. In 2023, the leopards had recorded applauded results, but the year 2024 seems to have updated structural flaws. The team’s ability to learn from their recent past will be decisive.
Beyond the results, it is a question of team spirit, effective management and a clear vision that could propel the DRC towards historical success. Contemporary challenges in women’s football are accompanied by new strategies. The question is no longer whether the team can win, but how it can win the internal struggles to rise collectively.
In short, the future of ladies leopards now depends on their ability to overcome doubts and face adversity with courage. While the contours of the eliminatory are emerging, a new chapter is about to write, and the hope of the Congolese is based on these ladies, ready to brave all the obstacles to the search for glory. Although the road is strewn with pitfalls, each match represents a chance to rediscover the pride of a people, through their football heroines. Fatshimetrie.org will closely follow this breathtaking adventure.