.RD Congo faced New Zealand in Spain (1-1) and Angola in Portugal (0-0). Sébastien Desabre took advantage of the training camp in southern Europe to call up some new players. The Leopards' French coach gives Sport News Africa his assessment.
Your team has played two matches against opponents with very different characteristics. Has this been instructive for you?
Yes, it was a change to face a team from another confederation. It was very interesting to meet New Zealand (1-1), a good, athletic team with a lot of players from England, Scotland and the United States. I think we should have won, had it not been for that contentious penalty given against us in the last few minutes. We know Angola well, they're a well-organized, solid team.
You called up several new players for this training camp. How did their integration go?
These training camps and friendly matches are an opportunity for the coaching staff to test new players, or to see some of them again. That's why they're so important. The training camp in Europe was useful. I did call up several new players: goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud (Montpellier, France), Brian Bayeye (Ascoli, Italy), Grady Diangana (West Bromwich Albion, England) and Jonathan Okita (FC Zurich, Switzerland). They have all integrated well, and have all been given game time.
"I found Bakambu very committed".
Despite his limited playing time with Galatasaray Istanbul, Cédric Bakambu was present at this gathering...
Yes, and he scored against New Zealand. He's a quality striker who's very attached to the Congolese national team.
Other players, such as Chadrac Akolo and Yoane Wissa, were absent. That means you're almost spoilt for choice.
In any case, I'm spoilt for choice and that's a good thing. Some players who are used to being selected weren't there, and there were some new ones.And I can't take everyone.
The AFCON (January 13-February 11, 2024 in Côte d'Ivoire) is coming up, and the choices made by the coaches of the qualified teams will be closely watched between now and the publication of the lists. Do you already have your team in mind?
In broad terms, yes.
But between now and then, there could be injuries, players who no longer have playing time, and so on. That's why I need to do some trials, to see players again and again. There are two matches in November in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, against Mauritania in Kinshasa, and against Sudan. Then we'll have a training camp, probably in the Persian Gulf, before the AFCON, with two matches.
