Title: DRC national football team: Realistic expectations for the CAN
Introduction :
The Democratic Republic of Congo national football team, nicknamed the Leopards, is currently preparing for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. The coach, Sébastien Desabre, recently spoke about the team’s objectives for the tournament. In this article, we will analyze in detail the DRC’s expectations for the CAN and the pragmatic vision of its coach.
Coming out of the group stages:
The primary objective of the Congolese national team is to get out of the group stages at the Africa Cup of Nations. Faced with formidable opponents such as Zambia, Morocco and Tanzania, the task will not be easy. However, the team is well prepared and counting on its talents to meet this challenge.
Reach the quarter-finals:
Once qualified for the knockout stages, the DRC’s objective is to reach the quarter-finals of the CAN. This would represent an important step for the Congolese team and mark its progression in the competition. Sébastien Desabre and his players are aware of the work that awaits them and are determined to go as far as possible.
Beyond the quarter-finals:
If reaching the quarter-finals is the main objective of the DRC, the coach also leaves the possibility of going further in the competition. He is aware that anything can happen in football and that a team can surprise during the CAN. Thus, he prefers to remain open to all eventualities and not set limits.
Preparing for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers:
Before the CAN, the DRC will also have the opportunity to play two important matches as part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. These matches against Mauritania and Sudan will allow the team to continue its preparation and refine its game for future competitions.
Conclusion :
The DRC national football team is heading into the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations with realistic expectations. Exiting the group stages and reaching the quarter-finals are the objectives determined by coach Sébastien Desabre. However, the team remains open to possible top performances and could surprise at the tournament. The DRC will also continue to prepare for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with the aim of proudly representing Congolese football on the world stage.