AFCON 2027: Le Roy brings in fresh blood as Congo look to bounce back against Comoros
Still searching for their first win in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the Red Devils have a big part of their future at stake against Comoros on 13 and 17 November. For the double-header, the 3rd and 4th matchdays in Group G, Claude Le Roy revealed a final list of 25 players on Friday 30 October, marked by the arrival of new faces.
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Three new faces in the Congo squad
After publishing a provisional list of 35 players, the national team coach has made his final selection. Three players stand out as new Red Devils: Nehemiah Fernandez (AS Nancy, France), Kevin Mouanga (Kasimpasa, Turkey) and Jordi Mboula (AE Kifisia, Greece).
The squad also includes Morgan Poaty (Lausanne-Sport, Switzerland), while several regulars are in the list, among them Thievy Bifouma, Antoine Makoumbou, Gaius Makouta, Bradley Mazikou and Mons Bassouamina. Niels Nkounkou, who was in the provisional list, did not make the final cut.
The 25 players picked by Claude Le Roy
The coach has put together a squad of 25 players spread across the different areas of the pitch:
Goalkeepers and defenders: Nding(a) Perrauld, Trey Vimalin, Zinga Melvin, Yhoan Andzouana, Nehemiah Fernandez, Christ Makosso, Bradley Mazikou, Berlihod Mbemba, Kevin Mouanga and Bryan Passi.
Midfielders: Morgan Poaty, Fred Dembi, William Hondermarck, Inno Loemba, Antoine Makoumbou, Gaius Makouta, Chandrel Massanga, Merveil Ndockyt and Geltany Bantsiele.
Forwards: Mons Bassouamina, Thievy Bifouma, Ikia Dimi, Guy Mbenza, Jordi Mboula and Beni Namboka.
Two games to break the deadlock
The situation demands a response. After two matchdays, Congo sit bottom of Group G with just one point. The Red Devils first lost at home to Namibia (0-1) before drawing with Cameroon (1-1). That record is not good enough and leaves the team needing to pick up points.
The first leg is scheduled for 13 November at the Malouzini Stadium in Comoros. Four days later, the two sides meet again in Brazzaville, at the Alphonse-Massamba-Débat Stadium, for the return leg.
With a renewed squad and two games in quick succession, Claude Le Roy will be expected to find the right balance and restore his team's effectiveness. For the Red Devils, these two matches are an important chance to relaunch their campaign for AFCON 2027.