** Ladies leopards: a deserved but delicate qualification for the CAN 2026 **
On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, the ladies’ leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo validated their ticket for the second round of the playoffs of the African Cup of Nations Women (CAN) Morocco 2026, despite a draw against the Mares of Botswana, concluded on a virgin score (0-0). If qualification is a reason for satisfaction, the path taken to achieve it raises several questions about the team’s offensive lucidity.
There is often a duality in the world of football: determination to be won and the ability to seize the opportunities that arise on the field. These two aspects are particularly palpable in the meeting of ladies leopards in the face of their Botswanae counterparts. Indeed, the Congolese posted a territorial superiority, but their selfishness appeared in timely moments highlighted a lack of coordination and altruism, particularly on the part of certain players like Ruth Kipoyi, Flavine Mawte and Naoma Kabakaba.
### Inefficacity to finish: a recurring challenge
The match revealed a common dilemma in football: ineffectiveness in front of the goal. The number of opportunities created by the leopards could have translated as an overwhelming victory, but that was not the case. Statistically, the Congolese people obtained several opportunities in the first and second period, whether via strikes, assists or situations of one against one. The offensive options offered have not always been exploited. The tendency to want to conclude yourself rather than to make a pass to a teammate in better position reduced the effectiveness of the attack, with imprecise shots like those of Kipoyi with high potential.
The clumsiness of the attackers also cost dearly, as illustrated by Kabakaba’s headache who found the amount, an incident revealing a lack of lucidity on the last gestures. The fact that the attacker was involved in the penalty failed by Marlène Kasaj once again stresses that these leopards must learn to better manage the key moments of the game.
### An appointment with history
However, beyond criticism, this qualification is also a transition to a new era for Congolese women’s football. It is vital to note that this team has demonstrated a notorious resilience, and reaching the second round of qualifying for CAN is a feat in itself. In date next October, the girls will prepare to face the formidable South African players, an appointment that could well prove decisive for the ambitions of these girls who aspire to mark the history of women’s football in the DRC.
Indeed, football is a sport where each error can have dramatic consequences on the course of a team. Leopards must now focus on physical and mental preparation, because the real test will reside in their ability to transform opportunities into goals against opponents as solid as South African. Statistics indicate that teams that succeed in concluding opportunities up to 20% of their shots are generally more likely to win matches internationally.
### to a tactical evolution
Although selfishness on the field seemed to be the main obstacle, it is essential that the technical supervision draws the good lessons from this match. An in -depth analysis of individual and collective performance is essential. The integration of specific exercises focused on coordination in attack, as well as the establishment of a game system which favors the collective on individualism, could prove to be beneficial.
An analytical approach would be to turn to teams that succeed on the international scene, such as the Lionesses of the Atlas of Morocco or the Super Falcons of Nigeria, whose ability to evolve in groups incorporates effective communication and a developed sense of offensive combinations.
### Conclusion: a potential to exploit
While the leopards are preparing to face the last stages of the qualifying route for the CAN 2026, it is palpable that the team’s potential is undeniable. There are a sum of brilliant individuals inside this training, but the quest for collective harmony will be more crucial than ever.
With a promising workforce, adequate preparation and special attention to the management of key moments, ladies leopards can hope not only to take action in Morocco, but leave a lasting imprint in the landscape of African women’s football. The road promises to be winding, but, with good mentality, it could also lead to unsuspected peaks.